David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health Breaks Ground on New Facility to Enhance Community Mental Health Services
On Friday, the David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health (DLC), a leading not-for-profit provider of behavioral health services in Collier County, officially commenced construction on its new Diermeier Access and Integrated Care Center. The celebration began with a ceremonial demolition of the existing Building A, the outdated administration building on the DLC’s main campus.
Scott Burgess, CEO of DLC, highlighted the importance of this project during the event, calling it “a pivotal moment for behavioral health care in our community.” He emphasized that the Diermeier Center is poised to transform access to mental health services, embodying the organization’s commitment to providing “integrated and compassionate care.” The new facility is designed to facilitate immediate support for individuals grappling with mental health challenges, offering comprehensive services aimed at fostering lasting wellness.
Once operational, the Diermeier Access and Integrated Care Center will significantly expand DLC’s capacity to provide evidence-based care to adults throughout Southwest Florida. This initiative is part of DLC’s broader “Hope for Collier: Building Stronger Minds Together” initiative, aimed at upgrading and integrating mental health services across the region’s healthcare landscape.
The Diermeier Center will encompass a 15,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility, designed to cater to a variety of behavioral health needs. Notably, it will feature a walk-in urgent care center for mental health, allowing individuals to seek assistance without prior appointments. This model addresses the urgent need for accessible mental health support, particularly in times of crisis. The center is planned to include various integrated services, combining mental health with primary care and enabling prescription fulfillment at an on-campus pharmacy.
Among the services offered at the new center are behavioral health urgent care with both onsite and telehealth options, real-time assessments, outpatient programming that integrates both mental and physical health, medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders, and specialized trauma therapy for veterans, which includes immersive therapy techniques.
Moreover, the Diermeier Center will contribute to workforce development, including training facilities for nursing, counseling, and social work interns, enhancing the region’s capacity to train future healthcare providers.
The establishment of this center is made possible through significant contributions, including a generous million donation from local philanthropists Jeffrey and Julie Diermeier, along with an additional million funded through the state budget for fiscal year 2024-25, facilitated by the efforts of Senator Kathleen Passidomo.
For those interested in witnessing the progress of this significant development, the demolition ceremony is available for viewing via livestream here.
To learn more about the impactful services provided by the David Lawrence Centers, visit DLCenters.org or contact them at 239-455-8500.
About David Lawrence Centers
DLC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to offering advanced and compassionate mental health and substance use solutions to children, adolescents, and adults in Southwest Florida. With a comprehensive system of care that includes inpatient, outpatient, and community-based services, the organization serves over 9,000 individuals each year, providing more than 341,000 treatment sessions. For further information, visit DLCenters.org.
