01/15/1998 Florida Crossroads – A Hand Withheld

More than 400,000 Floridians suffer from a serious mental illness. Through therapy and new medications, many of these people could recover and lead productive lives; however, state resources meet only a third of the need. Without proper treatment, many of the mentally ill end up in a downward spiral of hospitalization, homelessness and jail. We investigate the reasons why many Floridians are unable to access needed care and what the ramifications are for our society.