Prevention and Education Vital to Building Stronger Minds

by Jessica Liria, Director of Prevention and Education Services
at David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health

From increased societal stressors to academic anxieties, children and young adults throughout Collier County are facing unprecedented pressure that can have a serious and lasting impact on their mental health and well-being. Suicide remains the second leading cause of death in the nation for young people, and more youth are seeking support for anxiety, depression and substance use issues each year.

At David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health, we work tirelessly to ensure young people, and their families have access to the lifesaving and life-changing care they need. We also believe we can build a stronger foundation for positive well-being that lasts a lifetime through outreach, prevention and education.

DLC’s prevention and education programs equip youth with the skills needed to effectively navigate life’s challenges, build resiliency and develop healthy coping mechanisms.

“Early education and prevention are critical to developing healthy habits and strong minds,” said Jasmine Pagano, the supervisor of prevention services at DLC. “If we’re able to provide children and young adults with valuable tools to have in their back pocket to mitigate any negative health outcomes, that will make a tremendous difference for their entire lives.”

Nearly 9,000 school aged children received prevention and education services through DLC in fiscal 2024. DLC offers a variety of programs geared toward children and young adults, such as:

Second Step: With classes available for pre-kindergarten through 5th grade, this program assists educators in their efforts to build self-esteem, self-control and respect for the rights of others. This program includes education on social and emotional skills, problem solving, self-regulation, bullying and consequences.

The Collier County Behavioral Health Center, a partnership between David Lawrence Centers and Collier County, ill 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.

Too Good for Drugs and Too Good for Violence: These evidence-based programs, available to students in kindergarten-12th grade, discuss the negative consequences of drug use and the benefits of a nonviolent, drug-free life.

The programs also focus on developing interpersonal skills to resist peer pressure, enhance goal setting and decision making, manage emotions and communicate effectively.

CATCH My Breath: This evidence-based youth vaping prevention program features four-lessons focused on empowering children in 5th through 12th grade to live vape-free through knowledge and behavior.

Understanding the important role parents and caregivers play in a child’s life, DLC provides comprehensive resources that encompass substance use education and problem identification.

Free parenting courses are also offered to families, including:

Parenting Today: This innovative curriculum focuses on how to communicate with your children, guiding safer choices, fostering better cooperation and disciplining effectively. The program consists of two, 6-hour classes focused on parenting children between the ages of 5 and 12.

Parenting Teens: This six-session series aims to support parents who need help with strong-willed or out-of-control teens. The program features sessions on preventing and intervening in negative choices, addressing and changing problematic or destructive behavior, drug use, violence and sexuality, and rebuilding family relationships.

“Our team is dedicated to building a stronger, more resilient community,” said Pagano. “We’re here to share information so children, teens and families can make better health decisions for themselves and support healthy decisions among their friends, families and community members as a whole.”

At DLC, we strongly believe that prevention and education programs can help bridge the gap between our services and the community to create a healthier Collier County. These programs not only educate community members on how to address behavioral health concerns, but provide hope for countless children, teens and families throughout the region.

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