‘Beam of hope’ marks mental health center milestone

David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health held a Beam of Hope ceremony on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, to celebrate the placement of the final beam of the entrance canopy of the Collier County Behavioral Health Center. Once completed, the Collier County Behavioral Health Center will nearly triple the number of adults in crisis that DLC can serve.. -COURTESY PHOTO

A new mental health building is underway in Collier County. David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health, Collier County’s not-for-profit behavioral health care provider celebrated a momentous milestone in the construction of the Collier County Behavioral Health Center on Friday, Feb. 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.”

Collier County Commissioner Burt Saunders (right) recognizes former Collier County Commissioner Andy Solis at the Beam of Hope ceremony at the Collier County Behavioral Health Center on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. The ceremony marked the placement of the final beam of the entrance canopy of the Collier County Behavioral Health Center. -COURTESY PHOTO

Identified as the No. 1 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 5 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 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 crisis care to community members in need, regardless of their ability to play.

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.

David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health celebrated the placement of the final beam of the entrance canopy of the Collier County Behavioral Health Center with a Beam of Hope ceremony on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. Construction of the Collier County Behavioral Health Center is fully funded through money raised as part of the 2018 infrastructure sales surtax. DLC will support operations at 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.. -COURTESY PHOTO

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 programs offered by David Lawrence Centers, visit DLCenters.org or call 239-455-8500.