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Naples, Fl – In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health (DLC), Collier County’s only comprehensive, not-for-profit behavioral health provider serving children, adults and families, announced that it will honor three community partners at its first-ever Mind Your Mind Community Day on Saturday, May 14th, 2022. This action-packed event will be held from 8 to 11 a.m. at Cambier Park in downtown Naples and will include free fitness, fellowship, fun and now an awards celebration.

DLC and its community partners will gather at the Mind Your Mind Community Day to spread awareness about mental health, celebrate community partners and offer a sampling of mindfulness, holistic, and self-care practices we can all do at home, in nature or in the community to improve wellbeing through stress reduction, disease prevention and healthy habits that nourish our mind, body and soul.

The schedule for the event includes free yoga, fitness classes, and an immersive art and drum circle experience – along with a visit from a few furry pet therapy partners. There will also be a brief awards ceremony to celebrate three businesses and individuals for their support in furthering mental health awareness in Southwest Florida.

During the event, the following awards will be presented:

Andy Solis will be named Advocate of the Year

Andy Solis, District 2 Collier County Board of County Commissioners, is a passionate mental health supporter. He uses his voice to advocate for mental health to reduce stigma and stereotypes, and to encourage our community to be inclusive, empathetic, and active in supporting those who struggle with their mental wellness. Through his efforts and leadership, Commissioner Solis successfully advocated for the voter-approved, one-cent sales tax that will, in part, fund the new $25 million Central Receiving facility to be run and operated by DLC. In addition, he worked alongside community partners to create Collier County’s first-ever, five-year Behavioral Health and Addiction Services Strategic Plan and the launch of the Collier Coalition for Healthy Minds. Through his advocacy efforts, huge strides have been made in addressing the priorities in the plan, which have undoubtedly already saved numerous lives.

DeAngelis Diamond will be named Business of the Year

DeAngelis Diamond, an innovative and award-winning national construction management firm headquartered in Naples, has been a steadfast supporter of DLC for many years. Through their partnership, they have helped further the conversation on the importance of mental health and substance use services in our community. They have not only invested in DLC fundraisers, such as the signature Sound Minds Luncheon and the Chip in for DLC golf tournament, but have also hosted DLC clinical experts to provide educational talks to their staff about mental health. They have a passionate, corporate philanthropy mindset and support many worthwhile local charities in the communities they serve. They know their success is only as good as the success of those around them and truly believe giving is greater them getting.

Naples Children & Education Foundation will be named Community Partner of the Year

Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF), founders of the Naples Winter Wine Festival, supports effective, disciplined charitable programs that significantly improve the physical, emotional and educational lives of underprivileged and at-risk children in Collier County. Since its inception in 2000, NCEF has been an invaluable DLC community partner and investor. Through their unprecedented fundraising and grant-making, DLC has significantly advanced its children’s mental health services and community collaborations. From crisis support and psychiatric care to prevention education and community wrap-around care, NCEF’s investment has impacted the lives of thousands of at-risk children and families in need. In addition to funding innovative new programs and services through their Beautiful Minds strategic initiative, NCEF has been the education partner for the DLC Sound Minds Luncheon for many years, spreading mental health awareness to thousands of attendees.

“The conversation around mental health and wellbeing has never been more relevant,” said DLC President and CEO Scott Burgess. “And the need to prioritize our mental wellbeing has never been more important. In addition to improving access to evidence-based treatment, DLC is committed to working with our community partners and advocates to promote how to prevent a mental health crisis and intervene early when symptoms arise. We look forward to celebrating our well-deserved honorees and showcasing how we can mind all minds in our community.”

About Mental Health Awareness Month

Since 1949, organizations across the country have observed May as Mental Health Awareness Month by reaching out to millions of people through the media, local events, and screenings. During May, DLC joins this national movement to raise awareness about mental health by fighting stigma, providing care, educating the public, and advocating for support for people with mental illness and their families.

About Mind Your Mind

The Mind Your Mind Community Day is part of DLC’s year-long Mind Your Mind initiative to encourage the community to prioritize mental health in 2022. Through the Mind Your Mind initiative, DLC works with community partners and leaders to focus on important and relevant topics around mental health and addiction. This month-by-month approach to community mental wellness highlights a variety of mental health topics; provides resources, positive content, tips and exercises for enhanced mindfulness and wellbeing; and features opportunities to support community mental health whether at home, school, or workplace.

More Information and Event Registration

For more information about the DLC Mind Your Mind Community Day, visit DLCMindYourMind.org.

Southwest Florida nonprofit David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health (DLC) is a national leader providing compassionate, advanced, and exceptional mental health, substance use, and integrated healthcare solutions, available for children, adolescents and adults. DLC’s innovative treatment includes inpatient, outpatient, residential, and community-based services – a comprehensive system of care funded by community and government support. Each year, DLC serves more than 9,000 people through over 300,000 treatment sessions. To learn more, please call 239-455-8500 or visit www.DLCenters.org.