David Lawrence Centers Expands Access to Combat Mental Health Crisis.

Mackindy Dieu,

by Mackindy Dieu, Director of Acute Care Services at David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health

Collier County is facing the worst mental health and substance use crisis in its history, with increasingly more individuals turning to David Lawrence Centers for behavioral health support each day. While services such as therapy and counseling remain in demand, the heartbreaking reality is that DLC continues to see year-over-year increases in the number of individuals in crisis.

In 2024 alone, DLC provided care to 1,380 adults through its crisis stabilization unit. That represents a nearly 33% increase in clients from 2019, and a staggering 58% increase from a decade earlier. These individuals are more than just a number. They are our family, our friends, our neighbors and our colleagues.

The Collier County Behavioral Health Center, a partnership between David Lawrence Centers and Collier County, will nearly triple the number of adults DLC can serve, including those requiring inpatient care through the Baker Act and the Marchman Act, as well as seniors with Medicare who need inpatient care.

DLC’s crisis stabilization unit is a 36-bed, inpatient mental health facility that provides evaluation and treatment for individuals experiencing a psychiatric crisis, such as suicidal thoughts, severe depression or anxiety, or threatening behaviors. Individuals often stay in the unit between three to seven days, as DLC’s team works to stabilize them and creates a care plan best suited for their individual needs.

As demand has increased, DLC has grown and adapted to support those in need. While we have increased the number of licensed beds in our crisis unit, the need often exceeds the number of beds available for both adults and children. When this occurs, we work diligently to create an environment that is conducive to caring for all our clients.

Fortunately, more hope is on the horizon. DLC and Collier County are excited to break ground on the Collier County Behavioral Health Center. Located near the Bathey Lane campus, the Collier County Behavioral Health Center will nearly triple the number of adults DLC can serve, including those requiring inpatient care through the Baker Act and the Marchman Act. The new center will also include the 15 bed Moorings Park Foundation Wing, which will provide essential services to seniors in crisis through 24-hour walk-in access for emergency care, real-time behavioral health assessments and intervention.

DLC is dedicated to ensuring everyone can receive lifesaving and life-changing care, regardless of their ability to pay. In 2024,DLC launched Hope for Collier: Building Stronger Minds Together, a $160 million public-private partnership focused on transforming the landscape of mental health care in our community.

This initiative supports expanded access through the creation of the Collier County Behavioral Health Center; the Van Domelen Children’s Center of Excellence, where DLC’s children’s crisis unit will be located; and the Diermeier Access and Integrated Care Center, an innovative center that will provide walk-in mental health care to those in need.

Increased access doesn’t simply mean additional beds. It also means access to affordable treatment and a high-quality mental health workforce. Florida is ranked No. 1 in the nation of adults experiencing a mental illness and No. 46 in the nation in access to care.

The Hope for Collier initiative goes beyond facility improvements. It also includes funding earmarked to provide access to care for anyone who needs it and to recruit and retain a talented workforce.

With Collier County currently facing an extreme shortage in qualified mental health professionals, a portion of the Hope for Collier initiative is dedicated to expanding our team to ensure the community has access to the best possible care, both now and inthe future.

In the crisis stabilization unit, we don’t just see individuals in their lowest moments. We’re also there when they realize there is hope for their future. Expanding access to behavioral health care, including crisis care when they need it most, is critical to the long term health of our community. When we can provide the care they need close to their homes and families, we can improve long term outcomes and future success and offer more hope.

To learn more about the work DLC is doing to provide lifesaving and life-changing behavioral health care to those in need, visit DLCenters.org