The Florida Blue Foundation has made a $3.1m investment in mental health support, benefiting ten organisations across the state.

This investment will be shared among these ten non-profit organisations in Florida to enhance mental health services for children, teens, families, and older adults.

The funds will support community-based programmes and partnerships, increasing access to mental health services.

This initiative is said to be part of the foundation's ongoing effort to address mental health needs in Florida, with a total investment of $16.5m over the past four years.

The grants cover youth mental health education by AMIkids, trauma-informed counselling and training by Pensacola State College Foundation, mental health support for seniors in Indian River County, and family-focused efforts at Forty Carrots Of Sarasota.

In addition, they will focus on homeless youth, Boys & Girls Clubs of America on children, as well as support Winter Haven Hospital.

The grants will also facilitate underrepresented graduate-level students at Jacksonville University, mindfulness training by Miami Dade College Foundation, and Florida Center for Early Childhood that focuses on infant/early childhood mental health.

Florida Blue Foundation focuses on improving health equity by addressing food security, promoting mental well-being, nurturing healthy communities, and tackling health disparities.

It operates under the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Foundation, an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

Florida Blue president and CEO Pat Geraghty said: “Because of barriers like access and stigma, it often takes years for someone struggling to reach out for help.

“It is our duty to ensure critical services like mental health support are available to those who need them.

“That's why we are proud to partner with these organisations making a meaningful difference for our neighbours.”