With the national debate on gun control sparked from the elementary school shooting in Connecticut has come a national call to action to review mental health resources as well.

And in Northeast Florida, it’s a call many are hoping will be heeded.

“We have woefully few resources to cover the need,” says Baptist Health Downtown Vice President of Operations Michael Lanier.

Lanier also oversees the behavioral health resources for the hospital.He says there is a very broad range of services that they do provide, and that comes within the larger network of other care providers.Overall, however, he says there is a big gap in what they can do.

He says Baptist can handle people who come in a state of crisis- those who are brought in by police or severely ill.At the other end of the spectrum, however, Lanier says patients have to be “pretty determined” to get the occasional, as needed help for less severe cases.

“More longer term care and outpatient care is sometimes difficult for folks to get, especially if they have limited funding,” he says.

In those instances, Lanier says it’s a matter of more demand than the services available.Peoeple face long waiting lists and problems with insurance.And there has, in the past few years, been little to help boost services from the state or federal government.

“It’s a sad fact that Florida is one of the least funded per capita states for mental health services,” Lanier says.

Within that, he says Duval County is one of the worst funded in the state.

Lanier told me what happened in Connecticut is tragic, but unfortunately it sometimes takes a tragedy to spur action.

“What mobilizes a community, a region, a state and sometimes even a nation to begin to respond,” he says.

Lanier thinks this national spotlight will ultimately lead to action, be it more funding or just assistance overall, although it may take time.