David Lawrence Centers Beam of Hope Ceremony

David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health, Collier County’s only comprehensive, not-for-profit behavioral health care provider serving children, adults and families, celebrated a momentous milestone in the construction of the Collier County Behavioral Health Center on February 6, with a Beam of Hope ceremony. The event celebrated the placement of the final beam of the entrance canopy of the new behavioral health center, which will expand access to crisis care to Collier County community members individuals in need.

“This milestone represents hope for thousands of individuals and families in our community who urgently need access to behavioral health care,” said Scott Burgess, CEO of the David Lawrence Centers. “We are incredibly thankful to Collier County and our supporters for their vision and partnership in creating a place where individuals can find care, dignity and hope during their most vulnerable moments.”

Identified as the number one priority in Collier County’s first-ever mental health and addiction services strategic plan, the Collier County Behavioral Health Center will significantly expand the number of Collier County community members who can receive crisis care. Located on five acres near DLC’s Bathey Lane campus, the approximately 60,000-square-foot Collier County Behavioral Health Center offers 87 crisis beds, allowing DLC to nearly triple the number of adults in crisis it serves each year.

Construction of the $55 million Collier County Behavioral Health Center is funded through money raised as part of the 2018 infrastructure sales surtax. Private, philanthropic dollars will be utilized for furnishings, equipment and to assist in the operations of the state-of-the-art facility, which will provide 24/7 emergency screening, crisis stabilization, and comprehensive mental health care for those in critical need. DLC will operate the new facility as part of a long-term service agreement with Collier County, allowing DLC to continue to provide high-quality crisis care to community members in need, regardless of their ability to pay.

DeAngelis Diamond, the general contractor on the project, began construction on the Collier County Behavioral Health Center in 2025. Construction is anticipated to be completed in December 2026, with doors opening in early 2027.

For nearly 60 years, DLC has been committed to ensuring behavioral health care is available to everyone in need through education, prevention, intervention and treatment. DLC delivers care throughout the community through six distinct centers of operation, including: emergency services; children and young adult services; adult services; addiction recovery; awareness and prevention; and virtual care.

To learn more about the lifesaving and life-changing services and programs offered by David Lawrence Centers, visit DLCenters.org.