From left to right: Mary Rotunno, Lisa Marin, Antoinette Ferry FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE YULEE, Fla. — Starting Point Behavioral Healthcare (SPBH) is pleased to announce the appointment of Lisa Marin, Mary Rotunno, and Antoinette Ferry to its Board of Directors this year. These community leaders bring extensive expertise in healthcare administration, governance, business, finance, and community development to support SPBH’s mission of providing accessible mental health and substa

When we talk about mental health or substance use, one word comes up often: stigma. But what does it really mean and why does it matter so much? What Is Stigma? Stigma is a negative belief or attitude about a person or group. It often shows up as judgment, stereotypes, or unfair assumptions. For mental health and substance use, stigma can look like labeling someone based on a diagnosis or experience instead of seeing them as a whole person. How Stigma Shows Up Stigma isn’t al

Access to behavioral health care looks very different depending on where you live. In rural communities across Northeast Florida, individuals and families often face significant barriers to mental health and substance use services, even though need is high. Behavioral health is essential to overall wellness, community safety, and economic stability. Yet for many rural residents, getting care can feel out of reach. Higher Need and Fewer Resources Rural communities face major b