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One Family’sJourney
by Jessica Liria, Prevention & Education Manager
David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health

ullying in middle school started Colin Colin added that his therapist helped him understand what
Pearson's problems. A family move he was experiencing, and taught him coping skills like drawing,
Band isolation during the pandemic breathing, and how to have “safe-space talks” with his mom. “It felt
intensified his depression. And when his better to get everything off my chest,” he said.
mother was diagnosed with cancer, it Ways to Get Involved
became too much for him to handle. Whether you are a parent, grandparent, family member,
“I felt a lot of emotions I had never felt,” neighbor, church member, coach, or teacher, here are a couple of
said Colin, who is now a freshman at Gulf actions you can take to support the young people around you:
Coast High School in Naples. “It was really Educate yourself—and get certified
difficult for me to understand what was going on.” Each month, DLC offers evidence-based trainings that educate
One year into the pandemic, Colin’s younger brother found and certify attendees in:
him trying to hang himself and stopped the suicide attempt. • Youth Mental Health First Aid
Alarmingly, neither one told their parents. Days later, Colin • Suicide Prevention
completed a school assignment indicating that he wanted to die, For more information and to register for an upcoming training
and he was admitted to Collier County's only children's crisis unit Visit DLCenters.org/Events
at David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health (DLC). Support the expansion of DLC’s children’s programs and
This was just the beginning of the Pearson family’s journey. services by attending the DLC Sound Minds signature event
Colin’s story is one example of the mental featuring Brooke Shields on March 21, 2024.
health issues facing a surging number of Visit DLCSoundMinds.org for more details.
youth nationwide, including Southwest To learn about more ways to join DLC in addressing the youth
Florida. Suicide is now the second-leading mental health crisis in Collier, visit DLCenters.org or e-mail
cause of death for young people. Millions DLCEducates@DLCenters.org
more have suicidal thoughts and attempts.
DLC is the county's only comprehensive
community behavioral health center. The
55 year old nonprofit has seen first-hand
the number of children who struggle with
anxiety, depression and other mental health
challenges grow in recent years. Today, DLC
is a recognized leader in addressing this crisis
head-on.
Admissions to DLC’s children’s crisis unit, which provides
immediate access to a safe place for anyone experiencing thoughts
of self-harm or a mental health crisis, have increased steadily since
2013. At that time, it was only a four-bed unit, and DLC began
advocating for more beds.
In 2021, when the U.S. Surgeon General declared Presented By
youth mental health a national emergency, admissions to
the DLC children’s crisis unit had increased by 61% over
the year prior.
During that time period, Colin was admitted five times ®
for suicidal thoughts. One of those times, DLC’s recently
expanded, now 15 bed children’s unit was full, so Colin had
Benefiting
to go 130 miles away to Bradenton for emergency care. Benefiting
The turning point for Colin—and his family—was
the care they received through DLC’s family-centered
David Lawrence Centers
intensive mentoring and treatment program, Community David Lawrence Centers
Action Team (CAT). After a year in the CAT program,
Colin’s grades and communication improved, and he Featuring
stabilized on his medications. T h u R s day, March 21 Brooke Shields
“I didn’t know he was thinking about suicide,” said
Colin’s mother, Stephanie. “Once we were in treatment at 2024
DLC, we had a dedicated team, including a mentor and
a therapist who came to the house. We also had a nurse, Treat yourself to an
a doctor, and a case manager. He really opened up, and I 5 p.m. at unforgettable experience
learned just how bad his mental health was.” while raising critical funds
The RiTz-CaRlTon naples, TibuRón used to address Collier
2600 Tiburon Drive | Naples, FL 34109 County’s mental health crisis.

Life in Naples | February 2024 59 59
Chairs: Dr. Amy and John Quinn

Education Partner:
For tickets and sponsorship information:
Visit DLCSoundMinds.org OR
COntaCt ViCtOria GrimaldO:
ViCtOriaG@dlCenters.OrG; 239-354-1445

David Lawrence Mental Health Center, Inc. is a nonprofit organization, Registration# CH2888, Tax ID# 59-2206025. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL
REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE
(800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.

DAVID LAWRENCE CENTERS FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH | 6075 BATHEY LANE | NAPLES, FL 34116