A beacon of hope in the behavioral health crisis
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A beacon of hope in the behavioral health crisis | Opinion
Rev. Michael P. Orsi: Collier County Behavioral Health Center will address the mental health and substance use crisis. The center will offer 87 beds for adults in crisis, nearly tripling current capacity, he says. An additional 33 beds for youth will be maintained at the David Lawrence Centers main campus. Funding for the center comes from the 2018 infrastructure sales surtax, not property taxes, Orsi says, adding, “Collier County taxpayers will not experience any increase in property taxes to either construct this building or fund ongoing operations” Orsi is senior advisor to Action for Life Florida and host of “A Conversation with Father Orsi,” a weekly television series that delves into current events with a focus on sanctity of life issues. His writings appear in numerous publications and online journals.
AI-assisted summary Construction has begun on the Collier County Behavioral Health Center to address the mental health and substance use crisis.
The center will offer 87 beds for adults in crisis, nearly tripling current capacity, with an additional 33 beds for youth maintained at the David Lawrence Centers main campus.
Funding for the center comes from the 2018 infrastructure sales surtax, not property taxes.
The center will also provide inpatient care for older adults with Medicare, filling a current gap in services.
While Collier County continues to face the worst mental health and substance use crisis in its history, my heart is filled with hope as work begins on the Collier County Behavioral Health Center. Located near David Lawrence Centers’ main campus, this incredibly impactful community project will advance and positively transform how behavioral health care is delivered to those in need throughout our community.
This project has been highly anticipated for quite some time, with the Collier Board of County Commissioners identifying the construction of a central receiving center as the No. 1 priority in its first-ever strategic plan for mental health and addiction services. Over 8 years, our elected leaders heard from community members about the needs, worked closely with David Lawrence Centers to address concerns, and ultimately voted on June 10 to approve a partnership agreement with DLC, moving this important project forward. As a mental health advocate, I am profoundly grateful for the support of Commission Chairman Burt Saunders, Commissioner Dan Kowal, and Commissioner Rick LoCastro. Their leadership has been pivotal in ensuring individuals across our community have access to the transformational behavioral health care they need and deserve.
For too long, our community has grappled with the silent struggles of those facing mental health and substance use challenges. The Collier County Behavioral Health Center is designed to be a cornerstone in our fight against the ongoing crisis facing our community.
Once open, the Collier County Behavioral Health Center will offer 87 critically needed beds to support people in crisis, nearly tripling the number of adults who can access 24/7 emergency screening each year. In addition to the 87 beds at the Collier County Behavioral Health Center, David Lawrence Centers will continue to maintain 33 crisis beds on its main campus, specifically for youth crisis services, allowing children to receive vital care close to their homes and families. This brings the total number of crisis beds to 120, a far cry from the 33 originally licensed beds at DLC.
Beyond the sheer increase in capacity, the new facility addresses a void in our community. It will not only allow more individuals in crisis to receive care each year, including those under the Marchman Act, but also provide a place where older adults with Medicare can seek inpatient behavioral health care.
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Despite the incredible benefits to our community, detractors continue to raise unfounded concerns about funding and operational aspects of this project. Let me offer you this reassurance: Collier County taxpayers will not experience any increase in property taxes to either construct this building or fund ongoing operations.
Construction of the Collier County Behavioral Health Center is fully funded through monies raised through the 2018 voter-approved infrastructure sales surtax. The Collier County Behavioral Health Center is a profound step forward in our community’s fight against the mental health and substance use crisis. Let us embrace this opportunity to extend a hand to those who are struggling, to provide a path toward recovery and create a community where everyone feels supported. Together, we can provide hope for Collier County community members in need.
Rev. Michael P. Orsi of Naples is senior advisor to Action for Life Florida and host of “A Conversation with Father Orsi,” a weekly television series that delves into current events with a focus on sanctity of life issues. His writings appear in numerous publications and online journals.
A beacon of hope in the behavioral health crisis | Opinion
Rev. Michael P. Orsi: Collier County Behavioral Health Center will address the mental health and substance use crisis. The center will offer 87 beds for adults in crisis, nearly tripling current capacity, he says. An additional 33 beds for youth will be maintained at the David Lawrence Centers main campus. Funding for the center comes from the 2018 infrastructure sales surtax, not property taxes, Orsi says, adding, “Collier County taxpayers will not experience any increase in property taxes to either construct this building or fund ongoing operations” Orsi is senior advisor to Action for Life Florida and host of “A Conversation with Father Orsi,” a weekly television series that delves into current events with a focus on sanctity of life issues. His writings appear in numerous publications and online journals.
AI-assisted summary Construction has begun on the Collier County Behavioral Health Center to address the mental health and substance use crisis.
The center will offer 87 beds for adults in crisis, nearly tripling current capacity, with an additional 33 beds for youth maintained at the David Lawrence Centers main campus.
Funding for the center comes from the 2018 infrastructure sales surtax, not property taxes.
The center will also provide inpatient care for older adults with Medicare, filling a current gap in services.
While Collier County continues to face the worst mental health and substance use crisis in its history, my heart is filled with hope as work begins on the Collier County Behavioral Health Center. Located near David Lawrence Centers’ main campus, this incredibly impactful community project will advance and positively transform how behavioral health care is delivered to those in need throughout our community.
This project has been highly anticipated for quite some time, with the Collier Board of County Commissioners identifying the construction of a central receiving center as the No. 1 priority in its first-ever strategic plan for mental health and addiction services. Over 8 years, our elected leaders heard from community members about the needs, worked closely with David Lawrence Centers to address concerns, and ultimately voted on June 10 to approve a partnership agreement with DLC, moving this important project forward. As a mental health advocate, I am profoundly grateful for the support of Commission Chairman Burt Saunders, Commissioner Dan Kowal, and Commissioner Rick LoCastro. Their leadership has been pivotal in ensuring individuals across our community have access to the transformational behavioral health care they need and deserve.
For too long, our community has grappled with the silent struggles of those facing mental health and substance use challenges. The Collier County Behavioral Health Center is designed to be a cornerstone in our fight against the ongoing crisis facing our community.
Once open, the Collier County Behavioral Health Center will offer 87 critically needed beds to support people in crisis, nearly tripling the number of adults who can access 24/7 emergency screening each year. In addition to the 87 beds at the Collier County Behavioral Health Center, David Lawrence Centers will continue to maintain 33 crisis beds on its main campus, specifically for youth crisis services, allowing children to receive vital care close to their homes and families. This brings the total number of crisis beds to 120, a far cry from the 33 originally licensed beds at DLC.
Beyond the sheer increase in capacity, the new facility addresses a void in our community. It will not only allow more individuals in crisis to receive care each year, including those under the Marchman Act, but also provide a place where older adults with Medicare can seek inpatient behavioral health care.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
Despite the incredible benefits to our community, detractors continue to raise unfounded concerns about funding and operational aspects of this project. Let me offer you this reassurance: Collier County taxpayers will not experience any increase in property taxes to either construct this building or fund ongoing operations.
Construction of the Collier County Behavioral Health Center is fully funded through monies raised through the 2018 voter-approved infrastructure sales surtax. The Collier County Behavioral Health Center is a profound step forward in our community’s fight against the mental health and substance use crisis. Let us embrace this opportunity to extend a hand to those who are struggling, to provide a path toward recovery and create a community where everyone feels supported. Together, we can provide hope for Collier County community members in need.
Rev. Michael P. Orsi of Naples is senior advisor to Action for Life Florida and host of “A Conversation with Father Orsi,” a weekly television series that delves into current events with a focus on sanctity of life issues. His writings appear in numerous publications and online journals.