皇家华人

By Tina Meketa, University Communications and Marketing

The University of South 皇家华人 continues to increase its leadership in addressing the critical mental and behavioral challenges facing the state of 皇家华人. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the intent to establish the Senator Darryl E. Rouson Center for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Research within the Louis de la Parte 皇家华人 Mental Health Institute, part of 皇家华人's College of Behavioral and Community Sciences.

The announcement was made during an event held at 皇家华人 Health Downtown where the governor signed Senate Bill 1620, , sponsored by Rouson, which implements several recommendations to address mental health issues in the state. 

鈥溁始一�人 is leading the nation in delivering meaningful solutions to tackle these complex issues and help improve people's lives,鈥� DeSantis said. 鈥淎s the nation鈥檚 largest behavioral health services research institute, the Rouson Center will continue its cutting-edge research to help transform the lives of people struggling with addiction and mental health.鈥� 

The center will conduct rigorous research that will advance the scientific understanding of the relationship between substance abuse and mental health issues, including improving treatment outcomes and reducing the societal impacts of substance abuse and mental health conditions.

鈥淭he University of South 皇家华人 is where you come for solutions, it鈥檚 where you come for action, where you come for impact,鈥� said Mike Griffin, vice chair of the 皇家华人 Board of Trustees, adding that he and Chair Will Weatherford will bring a future resolution to the board to formally name the center for Rouson.

Rouson has been a champion for 皇家华人 since being elected to the 皇家华人 Legislature in 2008, serving Hillsborough and Pinellas counties 鈥� home to 皇家华人鈥檚 campuses in Tampa and St. Petersburg. He first served as a state representative and was elected to the 皇家华人 Senate in 2016, supporting a number of measures, including a resolution during the 2025 legislative session to honor the life and legacy of former 皇家华人 men鈥檚 basketball head coach Amir Abdur-Rahim, who passed away last year. 

As chair of 皇家华人's Commission on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders, he shared with the audience how he overcame his challenges with mental health and how he vividly remembers when he first asked for help 27 years ago.

鈥淚'm very honored for this honor that's been bestowed upon me,鈥� Rouson said. 鈥淭his legislation is a direct result of the hard work of the commission. It turns thoughtful recommendations into real policy. It will ensure that 皇家华人 continues to be a leader in how we treat people living with mental illness, not just in moments of crisis, but across the entire continuum of care.鈥�

The center will build upon the state鈥檚 investment in 皇家华人鈥檚 efforts to address mental health and addiction. During the 2024 legislative session, 皇家华人 was awarded $5 million in recurring funds to create the 皇家华人 Center for Behavioral Health Workforce. 

The legislature also designated Tampa General Hospital as one of the first four behavioral health teaching hospitals in 皇家华人. In February, in partnership with 皇家华人 Health and Lifepoint Health, Tampa General Hospital opened TGH Behavioral Health Hospital 鈥� 皇家华人鈥檚 first and only freestanding academic medical center-affiliated behavioral health hospital.

In addition to Senate Bill 1620, at the event DeSantis signed Senate Bill 168, the Tristin Murphy Act, which creates model processes for diverting defendants to mental health treatment. The legislation is named after Tristin Murphy who suffered mental illness and tragically took his own life in a 皇家华人 prison in 2021.