About Us

Our Mission

Committed to a Thriving Tampa Bay

Vision: We envision an emotionally healthy community where mental health is a priority and all thrive together.
Mission: To mobilize the community to strengthen behavioral health outcomes for depression, anxiety and substance use disorder, with a focus on improving early intervention, access and awareness.

Mental Health America’s Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health is the nation’s leading certification that assesses and recognizes employers committed to creating mentally healthy workplaces. Tampa Bay Thrives is proud to be a 2024 & 2025 Gold Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health Awardee.

Become Bell Seal Certified

Strengthened by Community Support

Tampa Bay Thrives is generously supported by key community and healthcare organizations, including:

Partner logo for Advent Health
Partner logo for BayCare
Partner logo for HCA Healthcare
Partner logo for Tampa General Hospital
Partner logo for Florida Blue Foundation
Partner logo for Power Home Remodeling
Partner logo for Community Foundation of Tampa Bay
Partner logo for Raymond James
Partner logo for The Lightning Foundation
Bullard Family Foundation
Lykes-Dimmitt Family Foundation
Simmons Charitable Foundation

Interested in becoming a partner?

GET IN TOUCH
Our Impact

Making a Measurable Difference

Our community-driven efforts have produced tangible results:

6,000+

Individuals supported through the Let’s Talk navigation line, providing essential mental health assistance to Tampa Bay residents.

53,000

individuals took part in on-line screenings to better understand their mental health.

7

Original research reports published, offering critical insights into local mental health needs and informing strategic community interventions.

15 Million

People reached by the IYKYK anti-stigma campaign via social media and digital advertising.

15,400+

Employees impacted through the inaugural Bell Seal workplace mental health cohort, promoting healthier work environments across the community.

TBT Impact Reel 2024

Board of Directors

Visionary Leadership

Our board of directors includes leaders from diverse sectors united by a shared vision for a healthier, emotionally resilient Tampa Bay.

Chair

John Couris

Presidet & CEO
Tampa General Hospital
Vice Chair

Chris Majeski

SVP, Private Client Group
Raymond James
Secretary

Suzanne McCormick

President & CEO
YMCA of the USA
Treasurer

David Ottati

President & CEO
AdventHealth West Florida Division
Board Member

Tracye Brown

Chief of Student Support and Federal Programs
Hillsborough County Public Schools
Board Member

Ravi Chari

CEO
Orthopaedic Solutions Management
Board Member

Dr. Ulyee Choe

Director
Department of Health of Pinellas County
Board Member

Stephanie Conners

President & CEO
BayCare Health System
Board Member

Ashley Dietz

CEO & President
Florida Philanthropic Network
Board Member

Carl Harness

Chief Human Services Administrator
Hillsborough County
Board Member

Phil Lee

Market President, West Region
Florida Blue
Board Member

Jyric Sims

President & CEO
HCA Healthcare West Florida Division
Board Member

Lara White

Managing Director
Corporate Relationship Manager Regions Bank
Board Member

Daniel Slaughter

Assistant City Manager
City of Clearwater
Board Member

Barbara Tripp

Chief
Tampa Fire and Rescue
Our Team

Dedicated Professionals Driving Change

Our passionate and skilled team is committed to improving mental health services, advocating for stigma reduction, and supporting community wellness. Meet the faces behind our ongoing impact.

Carrie Zeisse

President & CEO

Marliese Kimmons

Sr. Director of Operations

Grisel Scarantino

Sr. Director of Programs

Andreas Perello

Director of Marketing

Wrylin Snodgrass

Program Manager

Fiona McCormick

Operations Coordinator

Our History

2019

  • After a community health assessment revealed that Tampa Bay residents were experiencing high levels of mental health issues, more than 30 community leaders, including those from competing healthcare organizations, took an unparalleled step by coming together for two days to discuss the state of the community’s mental health.
  • BayCare leadership issued a funding challenge to leaders from Tampa General Hospital, AdventHealth, HCA Healthcare, and Florida Blue to establish a nonprofit organization tasked with determining the best approach for a regional effort to improve behavioral health. Together, these organizations committed an initial $5.5 million to fund this new entity – Tampa Bay Thrives (TBT).

2020

  • As COVID impacted the Tampa Bay community and world at large, the mental health fallout that followed was widely considered a second pandemic across the globe.
  • The timing was ripe for TBT to help its community navigate the challenges of receiving help for mental health struggles by providing support and solutions based on inclusive research, thoughtful innovation, and impactful programmatic work.
  • Through community-based working groups, the Let’s Talk line was designed, tested, and prepared for launch.
    As the organization scaled, adding staff and building infrastructure, TBT became the Mental Health America affiliate representing West Central Florida.

2021

  • As a predecessor to the national 988 line, TBT stood up the Let’s Talk line to help connect Tampa Bay residents to the care they needed.
  • Let’s Talk was a confidential warm line supporting mental health concerns and helping individuals navigate finding care. Counselors offered coping techniques, referrals to local providers, and connections to peer support while considering callers’ needs and preferences as well as their insurance.

2022

  • The Let’s Talk line expanded with the launch of the Immediate Care and Bridge Program and the receipt of $1.99M in dedicated ARPA funding. This multi-sector and collaborative expansion enabled individuals across Tampa Bay to access short-term appointments, free psychiatry, and bridge counseling.
  • The first annual Resident Mental Health Study was conducted and published, establishing a baseline to measure the impact of TBT’s work. Additional qualitative research was also completed to gain further insight into the barriers facing individuals.
  • Tampa Bay Lightning player Pat Maroon issued a call for kindness and asked his fans to support Tampa Bay Thrives, which landed TBT in national news, including People magazine.
  • The annual tradition of lighting up Tampa Bay landscapes in green for mental health awareness began.

2023

  • The “If You Know, You Know” (IYKYK) anti-stigma campaign, amplifying stories from Tampa Bay residents, was launched. The campaign featured Colony Reeves, from the Netflix show “Selling Tampa”, and others sharing stories of hope, healing, and resilience.
  • TBT completed an analysis of youth mental health, identifying the needs of students, parents, and teachers. From these insights, the first school-based wellness room was designed and built at Sligh Middle School. Additional youth-focused programs such as Strike the Stigma, GradNation, and others resulted in a Mental Health Toolkit filled with strategies and techniques to promote mental wellness. Adding to this was the development of interactive curricula and activities that brought to life the strategies described within.
  • Bell Seal is a Mental Health America certification program recognizing employers committed to creating mentally healthy workplaces. Tampa Bay Thrives convened with five other organizations to apply in the 2023 cycle.

2024

  • A behavioral science team was engaged to further understand the deep-seated resistance to engaging in mental health care that was experienced with the clinical services connected to the Let’s Talk line. The insights from this investigation yielded key insights that influenced TBT’s programming approach and campaign approach.
  • TBT expanded the #IYKYK campaign further, incorporating clinicians sharing their perspectives in everyday language to demystify the process of getting help.
  • TBT, along with the Bullard Family Foundation, hosted the inaugural youth videography camp, which resulted in content and stories for youth, by youth, and community-wide events continued.
  • TBT received a state appropriation to support the school-based wellness room model, and planning for additional wellness rooms began.
  • The Let’s Talk line features and functionality were incorporated into the local provider of 988 services. The line served over 6,100 during its lifetime.

Our History

2019

After a community health assessment revealed that Tampa Bay residents were experiencing high levels of mental health issues, more than 30 community leaders—including those from competing healthc

BayCare leadership issued a funding challenge to leaders from Tampa General Hospital, AdventHealth, HCA Healthcare, and Florida Blue to establish a nonprofit organization tasked with determining the best approach for a regional effort to improve behavioral health. Together, these organizations committed an initial $7.25 million to fund this new entity – Tampa Bay Thrives.

2019

After a community health assessment revealed that Tampa Bay residents were experiencing high levels of mental health issues, more than 30 community leaders—including those from competing healthc

BayCare leadership issued a funding challenge to leaders from Tampa General Hospital, AdventHealth, HCA Healthcare, and Florida Blue to establish a nonprofit organization tasked with determining the best approach for a regional effort to improve behavioral health. Together, these organizations committed an initial $7.25 million to fund this new entity – Tampa Bay Thrives.

2019

After a community health assessment revealed that Tampa Bay residents were experiencing high levels of mental health issues, more than 30 community leaders—including those from competing healthc

BayCare leadership issued a funding challenge to leaders from Tampa General Hospital, AdventHealth, HCA Healthcare, and Florida Blue to establish a nonprofit organization tasked with determining the best approach for a regional effort to improve behavioral health. Together, these organizations committed an initial $7.25 million to fund this new entity – Tampa Bay Thrives.

2019

After a community health assessment revealed that Tampa Bay residents were experiencing high levels of mental health issues, more than 30 community leaders—including those from competing healthc

BayCare leadership issued a funding challenge to leaders from Tampa General Hospital, AdventHealth, HCA Healthcare, and Florida Blue to establish a nonprofit organization tasked with determining the best approach for a regional effort to improve behavioral health. Together, these organizations committed an initial $7.25 million to fund this new entity – Tampa Bay Thrives.

Financials & Transparency

Committed to Accountability

We prioritize transparency and fiscal responsibility. Review our annual financial reports to see how we responsibly steward resources to maximize community impact.

Connect With Us

Have questions or suggestions, or want to join our cause? Reach out directly—we’d love to hear from you and explore ways to collaborate for a healthier Tampa Bay.

Join Our Advisory Council

Stay informed. Get inspired. Get Involved. Join us in building a healthier, more connected Tampa Bay.

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