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NAMI Collier County:

Providing a Roadmap to Recovery

NAMI Collier helps navigate challenges on the way to mental wellness.

Behind the Scenes at Project HELP:
by Carolyn Staley-Penix, HUGS Clinical Director Eventually, NAMI Collier County helped find a place for her with
a room for her 15 year old son, so she could have him with her at times. Enhancing Sexual Assault Advocacy & Therapy through Diverse Strategies
uthnie was living in her car in
Since she moved in, she has found steady employment as a caretaker at
February 2022 following a stay
a local assisted living center with a part-time job at a retail store to earn
R at a women’s shelter to flee an
extra income.
abusive relationship. While she could find
“I was in a dark place and NAMI pulled me out from the darkness
employment easily, she struggled to keep
and showed me the light,” Ruthnie says. “I pray to God every single
jobs because of difficulty maintaining a night, and I can’t stop saying thank you. I’m thankful to have a bed to
schedule, sleeping, safety and hygiene while sleep in, a roof over my head. I’m at peace.”
being homeless. NAMI Collier is part of the National Alliance on Mental Illness
Ruthnie found her way to the National network that includes national and state organizations. NAMI Collier
Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Collier provides more programs and services for children 3 months old
County’s Sarah Ann Life Skills and Support Center, where she was through seniors than is typical of most local NAMI organizations, with
able to eat, refresh, receive complimentary hygiene products and many unique to NAMI Collier.
clothing and connect with other resources. “NAMI Collier helps people and families navigate the complex
“When I was living in my car, I was crying every night,” mental health system,” Flood said. “We offer unique, nonclinical
Ruthnie said. “I didn’t know what I was going to do. I was going to programs that focus on wellness and personal recovery journeys while
McDonald’s and doing bird baths in the restroom. I was spending offering direction, guidance and support. Our goal is to recognize the
whole person and not just their diagnosis.”
money and wasn’t able to save. I felt like it wasn’t going to end. At
NAMI Collier’s free programs include:
one point I got real, real, real depressed and got Baker Acted.”
In addition to offering basic services to support the homeless, the • NAMI Collier Children’s Mental Health Program (HUGS),
supported by the Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF),
Sarah Ann Life Skills and Supportive Employment Center is a safe,
founders of the Naples Winter Wine Festival, responds to the complex
welcoming daily center for anyone over the age of 18 with a mental
needs of children at risk of or with behavioral health problems in
health diagnosis. It offers life skills and supportive employment
Collier County. The program provides English, Spanish and Creole
opportunities, support groups, outings to encourage socialization and
universal mental health screenings, clinical oversight, connection to care
community engagement, lunch and activities to enrich the quality of
coordination, resiliency and parenting education, and facilitates referrals
life for members.
for early identification and access to care.
It’s all part of NAMI Collier’s mission to help connect people
• Florida Self-Directed Care (SDC) allows program participants to
with services and stability on their road to mental wellness. The make their own health care choices and actively participate in their
nonprofit organization works as a compass to help people find their recovery from serious mental illnesses. Life Coaches assist participants
way around obstacles. establish measurable recovery goals. SDC serves 90 people each year in
At the center, Ruthnie connected with NAMI Collier, Lee Charlotte, Glades and Hendry counties.
Collier’s Supportive Employment and Center • CLEAR: Clearing the Way for Change in Florida
Supervisor MaryKay Flood, who helped her find is a peer-run service for any individual in search of
housing and ensure she can pay her bills and stay connecting with someone who has lived experience in
well. Flood also helped her with investments and mental health recovery. The warm line service is free,
to get car repairs. confidential and available statewide from 4 a.m. to
NAMI helps people with mental illnesses 10 a.m. and receives more than 700 calls per month.
With roots dating to 1987, NAMI Collier County remains
overcome the barriers and challenges of
a nonprofit dedicated to helping people navigate their
homelessness and other challenges so that they
mental health journey through an array of programs.
are able to work on recovery and wellness.
For information or to donate visit namicollier.org or call 239-260-7300
42 Life in Naples | April 2024