Bridgeway Center Inc

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Bridgeway Center Inc.
BCI is one of the most experienced non-profit health and human services companies serving Children, Adults, and Families for over forty (40) years, including those who have historically faced barriers to quality care.

Click to View Our Self-Referral Services Video

Our growing array of services include:

Employee Assistance Programs
Trainings and Presentations Offered

Through this website, you can learn more about us and our services.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) to BCI

Crisis Hotline and Rape Crisis Center
For individuals in the midst of emotional crisis or who have suffered any type of sexual assault, help is only a phone call away.

Veterans Among Us
Bridgeway Center Inc. salutes its team members that have served our country. Read More...

Disasters - Natural and Technological

A disaster is an event with a relatively sudden and identifiable onset caused by external or environmental factors and associated with adverse effects on a group of individuals.
The Panhandle of Florida is no stranger to disasters. We have survived hurricanes of devastating proportion in recent years. Many community members recall the lasting and profound emotional impact of these events. The current BP Oil Spill disaster will likely rank as our community's most memorable disaster.
Hurricanes are an example of a natural disaster. Natural disasters include other uncontrollable events such as floods or earthquakes. The current Oil Spill disaster qualifies as a "human-caused" or "technological" disaster.
Natural disasters are often characterized as follows:

Blame extending to God or man
Anger often associated with the recovery and agencies involved
Usually a positive community response in aftermath in rebuilding efforts
Psychological effects are often short term

Technological disasters include such events as Chernobyl, Exxon Valdez Oil Spill, and Three Mile Island. A technological disaster is characterized by the following:

Perceived to be the result of human failure
Have an uncertain scope of potential effects
Not clearly defined by time and spatial boundaries
Have no traditional response system in place to aid victims
Have long term social impacts

The research shows that all major technological disasters create a negative psychological impact which exists much longer term than the effects of a natural disaster. These impacts include anger, anxiety, domestic violence, depression and substance abuse, among others.
If you have been impacted by the BP Oil Spill Disaster, Bridgeway Center, Inc. wants to help. Contact our Crisis Hotline at 850-244-9191 to talk to one of our counselors 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year.
Bridgeway Center, Inc. is a community mental health center located in Fort Walton Beach, FL. We offer behavioral and educational services, employee assistance programs, driving schools and senior services.
References for this article were obtained from Coping With Technological Disasters Guidebook published by the Prince William Sound Advisory Council.

137 Hospital Drive NE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548

Crisis Hotline/Rape Crisis Center (TDD/711)
Fort Walton Beach (850) 244-9191

The Bridgeway service network:
Soundside Wellness Consultants (www.soundsidewellness.com)
Bridgeway Driving Schools (www.safedriveschools.org)
Okaloosa Seniors (www.okaloosaseniors.org)
Judicial Services (www.countyprobation.com)