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NAMI Collier County has A New Home for its

FREE MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS

by Beth Hatch, CEO of NAMI Collier County
stepped into the The Sarah Ann Center, a safe, welcoming
leadership role at drop-in center for anyone over the age of 18 with
I nprofit NAMI a mental health diagnosis, will also be relocated in
no
Collier County in the new building. It offers daily support groups,
late July, just before outings to encourage socialization and community
Hurricane Ian shook engagement, daily lunch and activities to enrich the
Southwest Florida to its core. The quality of life for members. The new space will allow for a possible
impact on the mental health of our shift to a club house model, as well as offering more outings,
community cannot be underestimated. support groups, activities and a dining hall/restaurant where
NAMI Collier helps people and members can collaborate, share a meal and learn essential skills for
families navigate the complex mental the workforce.
health system and offers unique, NAMI Collier’s other free programs include:
nonclinical programs and support groups that focus on wellness • Support groups for members, their families, and caregivers
and personal recovery journeys. Our goal is to recognize the whole • Health Under Guided Systems (H.U.G.S.), supported by the
person, not just their diagnosis, and connect them to the resources Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF), founders of
that can help them. Many of those resources are unique programs the Naples Winter Wine Festival, responds to the complex needs
we created and provide at no cost. of children at risk of or with behavioral health problems in Collier
When I arrived, our programs were held in several rented County.
spaces, with the administration offices in a building on the other • Supportive Housing helps people with mental illnesses
side of town. Steps were already in motion to find a new home to overcome the barriers and challenges of homelessness to work on
better accommodate our programs. recovery and wellness.
As of March, we will be moving administrative offices and all • Florida Self-Directed Care (SDC) allows program participants
services into the former Naples Senior Center building at to make their own healthcare choices and actively participate in
5025 Castello Drive in Naples. The building will be open for their recovery from serious mental illnesses
our programs April 3. • CLEAR: Clearing the Way for Change in Florida is a peer-run
The move brings all our programs under one roof, providing service for any individual in search of connecting with someone
the ability to expand and seamlessly expose members to the who has lived experience in mental health recovery.
services and programs available. With roots dating to 1987, NAMI Collier County remains a
Our two-story space has a kitchen, pantry, offices, board nonprofit dedicated to helping people navigate their mental health
room and training room. The building also has four offices and a journey through an array of programs. For information or to donate,
reception area that we can sublease to generate additional revenue visit namicollier.org or call 239-260-7300.

Life in Naples | April 2023 37