Behavioral and mental health needs are focused on an individual’s ability to enjoy life, and create a balance between life activities, to express emotions and to adapt to life’s daily demands.

For so many reasons – physical, emotional, psycho-social and clinical – achieving good mental health can be challenging and overwhelming for patients coping with depression, anxiety, bipolar, addiction and other behavioral disorders.

Evidence from the World Health Organization suggests that nearly half the world’s population is affected by mental illness with an impact on their self-esteem, relationships and ability to function in work, school and everyday life. An individual’s emotional health can also impact physical health, and poor mental health can lead to problems such as substance abuse, physical abuse and even death.

Healthy Lee has convened a community collaborative to provide a comprehensive continuum of care for Behavioral Health, based on the current needs assessment for Lee County residents. This involves a compassionate, coordinated approach to managing behavioral health across the continuum of care including emergency care, inpatient and outpatient hospital settings, primary care facilities, as well as education and community-based organizations. Services are personalized based on the individual’s need, and may include psychiatric services, individual or family therapy, case management, therapeutic mentoring, and additional consultation.

Seeking support is the key to helping to enhance one’s behavioral health. In Lee County, a number of resources and supportive communities are available to individuals and families coping with behavioral health disorders.

• Mental Health Resource Guide
• Helplines, Hotlines and Immediate Assistance Guide
• Bob Janes Triage Center
• Florida Department of Children and Families
• Hope Clubhouse
• Lee County Southwest Florida
• Lee Health
• National Alliance on Mental Illness, Lee County
• Park Royal Hospital
• SalusCare
• The Salvation Army
• United Way