COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. — The David Lawrence Center is swamped serving people facing mental health crises. But soon they will get the help they need with a new facility.
The Collier County Commissioners voted in favor of building the $25 million mental health facility in the lot right next to the David Lawrence Center.
Currently, the only facility equipped to receive baker acts in Collier County is the David Lawrence Center. Since 2008, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office has seen a 106 percent increase in baker acts.
Deputies have responded to 1,563 cases in 2020 putting a strain on the David Lawrence Center.
Nancy Dauphinais, the Chief Operating Officer for David Lawrence Center said that they have seen record-breaking numbers in their crisis stabilization unit since the pandemic.
“Unfortunately we are having to transfer hundreds of individuals each year outside of Collier County to get emergency behavioral health care when they are in need,” Dauphinais said.
The county is hoping the new facility will help people in the community.
Judge Janeice Martin has worked in the mental health courts for years. She said that the new facility will help prevent people from ending up behind bars or in a crisis.
“There is a population within the jail that doesn’t belong there and this is appropriate for a treatment outcome, not a traditional punishment outcome. Punishment is not making these people better,” Martin said.
Collier County Commissioners hope to have the new facility up and running by late 2022.
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