SHIELD Psychiatry
Protecting Young Minds. Empowering Futures.
Higher Level of Care Resources
Thank you for providing information about the patient’s current needs. Based on what was shared, the concerns described require a level of psychiatric support beyond what our outpatient concierge practice is equipped to provide. In-person psychiatric care with access to urgent evaluation, laboratory monitoring, and hospital-level support is recommended. We are unable to proceed to intake so that valuable time is not lost reaching services that can more appropriately meet these needs.
This decision is not a diagnosis or a judgment about the patient or family. It reflects the clinical fit between the needs described and the services, staffing, and emergency support available through SHIELD Psychiatry.
⚠️ If Help Is Needed Right Now
If the patient is in immediate danger, cannot remain safe, is severely confused or agitated, or symptoms are rapidly worsening, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Call or text 988 for crisis support, guidance, and help identifying the most appropriate local response. The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day.
You may also ask 988 or 211 about a local mobile crisis response team. Depending on the county and circumstances, a mobile team may be able to evaluate the patient at home, school, or in the community.
Early Psychosis and First-Episode Programs
These programs may be appropriate when a child, adolescent, or young adult develops new or unusual thinking, marked suspiciousness, significant confusion, hearing voices, seeing things others do not see, or a noticeable decline in functioning. Early assessment and treatment can be important.
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USF Health Department of Psychiatry — Tampa
Call (813) 974-8900 and ask about early psychosis, first-episode psychosis, or specialty psychiatric evaluation services.
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Florida First-Episode Psychosis Programs
Contact your county’s behavioral health managing entity or call 2-1-1 for help locating a first-episode psychosis or coordinated specialty-care program near you.
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NAMI Florida
Statewide mental health education, family support, and resource navigation. Call (850) 671-4445 or visit NAMI Florida.
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NAMI HelpLine
Receive information and support for navigating mental health services. Call 1-800-950-6264 or text HelpLine to 62640.
Hospital-Affiliated Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Call before presenting for a routine appointment. Availability, age limits, referral requirements, and insurance participation may vary. For an immediate safety concern, call 911 or use the nearest emergency department rather than waiting for an outpatient callback.
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USF Health Child and Adolescent Psychiatry — Tampa
Call (813) 974-8900.
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Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital — St. Petersburg
Call (727) 767-4160 and request information about behavioral health or child and adolescent psychiatric services.
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Nemours Children’s Health — Orlando
Call (407) 650-7715 or visit Nemours Behavioral Health.
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UCF Health Psychiatry — Orlando
Call (407) 266-3627 to ask about psychiatric services, age eligibility, and referral requirements.
Intensive Outpatient and Partial Hospitalization Services
Intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization programs provide more structure and clinical support than routine weekly outpatient appointments. Each program must complete its own assessment to determine eligibility and the appropriate level of care.
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Gracepoint Wellness — Tampa
Call (813) 272-2958 and ask about current youth, crisis, intensive outpatient, or hospital-based behavioral health services.
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BayCare Behavioral Health
Serves communities including Pasco, Pinellas, and Hillsborough counties. Call 1-800-878-5470.
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AdventHealth Behavioral Health — Tampa and Wesley Chapel
Call (813) 615-7000 and request information about the appropriate behavioral health access point.
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Aspire Health Partners — Orlando Area
Call (407) 875-3700.
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Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health Florida
Services may be available in the Orlando and Viera regions. Call (407) 937-3200 to ask about current programs, age eligibility, and referral requirements.
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SAMHSA Treatment Locator
Search for mental health and substance-use treatment programs by location and level of care. Visit FindTreatment.gov or call 1-800-662-4357.
Continue Current Care Until a Safe Transition Is Completed
If the patient is currently established with a psychiatric prescriber, pediatrician, primary-care clinician, hospital team, or another behavioral health provider, please continue working with that provider until new care is established. Do not stop, reduce, increase, restart, or otherwise change psychiatric medication without guidance from the prescribing clinician, unless emergency medical personnel direct otherwise.
We recognize that seeking psychiatric care can feel overwhelming. Although SHIELD Psychiatry is not the appropriate setting for the needs described, we sincerely hope these resources help your family reach the right level of support without unnecessary delay.