Page 75 - LIN_Nov_2025_web-file

David Lawrence Centers

Oviston Welch
U.S. Army Sergeant
VETERANS FIND

ollier C
h
v
al He
alt
ior
he C
ount
y Be
T
The Collier County Behavioral Health
ha
C ent er , a par t ner ship bet w een D a v id
Center, a partnership between David
Lawrence Centers and Collier County,
L a w r enc e C ent er s and C ollier C ount y ,
ill ne
r
he number of adult
iple t
y t
w
will nearly triple the number of adults
l
s
ar
, inc
DL
DLC can serve, including those requiring Hope
e
v
uir
in
g t
eq
C c
hose r
g
an ser
ludin
er A
inpatient care through the Baker Act and
in
c
t and
g
t
hr
ou
pa
he Bak
ient c
ar
e t
h t
he Mar
c
s senior
ll a
e
h
it
s w
c
t the Marchman Act, as well as seniors with
hman A
s w
, a
t
Medic ar e who need in pa t ient c ar e .
Medicare who need inpatient care.
or many veterans, the challenges of service don’t end Veteran’s Treatment Court provides effective treatment and
when they return home. Nearly 1 in 3 carry the weight of rehabilitation, as well as alternatives to incarceration to assist
F invisible wounds, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, participants in developing the skills necessary to maintain a
anxiety and depression, that can complicate their transition to substance-free life, fulfill their legal obligations, and establish
civilian life. positive and productive relationships with their families, employers
With approximately 26,000 veterans in Collier County, and community.
David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health works each day For Haleigh, the impact of the services has changed her life.
to ensure that veterans and their families find hope. Through its An Air Force veteran and graduate of Veterans’ Treatment Court,
dedicated Veterans’ Services Program, DLC offers personalized Haleigh struggled with mental health and substance use challenges
care, support and healing to meet the unique needs of veterans after her military service was ended by a medical discharge. She
and their families. sought help from David Lawrence Centers, which provided her
Understanding the challenges with a case worker who understood the unique challenges she
Veterans are especially vulnerable to a range of mental health faced as a veteran. Today, Haleigh is thriving.
challenges, many of which can emerge long after their transition “I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for David Lawrence
to civilian life. Post-traumatic stress remains one of the most Centers or for veterans court or just the program in general,” she
common concerns, often linked to combat exposure and traumatic said. “The program saved my life. It really did – it saved my life.
experiences during service. Sleep disorders, such as insomnia and They gave me someone to lean on when I needed it. They gave me
nightmares, are also widespread, affecting approximately 40% of the support system I didn’t know that I needed. They really helped
veterans, nearly double the rate seen in the general population. me get through a difficult time and taught me a whole new way of
Depression and anxiety are also common, while substance life.”
use can emerge as some veterans turn to alcohol or drugs to cope How to help or seek help
with untreated trauma or stressors of daily life. Left untreated, If you or someone you know is a veteran struggling with mental
these conditions can increase the risk of suicide, relapse or social health or substance use challenges, help is available.
isolation, showcasing the urgent need for specialized support For immediate support, call David Lawrence Centers’ 24 hour
tailored to veterans’ experiences. phone line at 239-455-8500.
DLC’s dedicated veterans’ services How DLC can support children and families
DLC’s dedicated, experienced and compassionate team offers DLC is ready to help set up your family for success. Our goal at
a variety of specialized services, programs and resources tailored DLC is to give children and teenagers the tools they need to have
to the unique needs of veterans. In 2024 alone, DLC served a healthy and vibrant future through thoughtful and intentional
more than 215 veterans through over 9,000 services. In addition combinations of education, prevention, intervention and treatment.
to receiving counseling and clinical treatment, veterans are also Our diverse programs include community-based services, voluntary
connected to vital resources including transitional housing and day programs, psychiatric and medication evaluation, inpatient
food assistance and connections, helping them regain stability and services and outpatient therapy and counseling as well as holistic
independence. therapies such as art and pet therapy, nutrition and structured
DLC’s services for veterans and their families include: fitness. Through this personalized care, the best-in-class staff at
Veterans’ Case Management focuses on peer-to-peer support, DLC gives children and young adults in need the best chance to
linking to services such as mental health, medical needs, social express themselves.
services, SNAP benefits, Medicaid/Medicare and assistance with To learn more about the work DLC is doing to provide lifesaving
transitional and long-term housing. and life-changing behavioral health care to those in need,
Outpatient Treatment focuses on a variety of mental and visit DLCenters.org
emotional health needs, such as post-traumatic stress, depression,
anxiety, substance use, anger, grief and loss, and transitional
challenges.
Life in Naples | November 2025 75