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Naples, Fl – David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health (DLC), Collier County’s only comprehensive, not-for-profit behavioral health provider serving children, adults and families, will host behavioral health strategist, Solomé Tibebu, as the keynote speaker of the Sound Minds™ Luncheon on Friday, March 25, 2022 at 11:30 am at Arthrex One Conference Center. Immediately following the luncheon, VIP ticket holders and sponsors will enjoy a private VIP reception with coffee and dessert for an intimate opportunity to meet with Tibebu.

Sound Minds is being presented by Education Sponsor Naples Children & Education Foundation and will be co-chaired by longtime community supporters and mental health advocates, Garrett and Diana Richter.

Solomé Tibebu dealt with a severe anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder as a teen, feeling alone and frustrated. After realizing that there was no immediate resource for education on what she was going through, she founded and operated an online teen mental health non-profit, AnxietyInTeens.org, while a sophomore in high school. Anxiety In Teens has psycho-educational articles, videos and interviews that young adult contributors create to encourage and support Millennial and Gen Z teens and their parents on their path to mental wellness.

“Online resources can offer a kind, comforting and assuring boost of confidence that you are normal and that the things you are dealing with will eventually become manageable,” said Tibebu.

Now, as a behavioral health strategist, Tibebu is passionate about frontier technologies and solutions that transform mental health, equity and access. She is as a behavioral health technology subject matter expert and lectures and consults for organizations aimed at evolving mental health care delivery utilizing technology.

Tibebu will share insights about her journey as a young entrepreneur developing solutions for important problems while struggling with the very challenges these solutions address. She will also discuss how technology is being utilized today to expand access to mental health treatment and the impact technology is having on youth mental health.

“I acknowledge the negative impact that social media has had on youth, but I am inspired by how we’ve gone from online Cognitive Behavioral Therapy tools, to more personalized solutions for adolescents,” added Tibebu. “I definitely think the next generation is thinking very differently about mental health and their comfort to use digital tools to be able to address anxiety and depression.”

Sound Minds is DLC’s signature fundraiser and a critical source of funding for its life-saving services, which demand for have sharply increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sadly, mental illness, suicide and addiction – issues that were already at an all-time high – are now more prevalent as a result of the lasting psychological impacts of the pandemic – especially for our youth and young adults.

Hearing from someone with lived experience who has found hope, help and purpose in helping others find their way, is the proven format for the Sound Minds fundraiser. Past speakers have included a Columbine shooting survivor, national experts, actors and legislators who have been impacted personally by behavioral health challenges.

“My experience has brought me closer to individuals and families from all walks of life across the country, whose stories and journeys I would never have otherwise heard or known about,” said Tibebu. “I’m very hopeful to see the growing body of individuals and organizations there are who want to advance access and innovation in mental health care.”

As co-chairs, the Richters hope to bring awareness around these common issues and how Collier County can come together to make a difference in the innovations that are helping address access to behavioral health locally. As a Vietnam Veteran and former Florida State Senator, Garrett, who is the President and CEO of First Florida Integrity Bank, understands the funding challenges in the state of Florida as well as the increased demand for the special populations DLC serves such as military families. Diana, who focused her talent and energy on raising their three children and supporting the community, is passionate about making a difference in the lives of families who are struggling.

“As avid supporters of DLC, we know the impacts that mental health challenges can have on our families and our communities,” said Garrett Richter. “We are honored to chair the Sound Minds Luncheon and are certain that this generous community will help us advance this tremendous and greatly needed organization that provides affordable, world-class behavioral healthcare to nearly 10,000 children and adults each year.”

Tickets and Information

The cost to attend is $275 per person or $450 per VIP ticket. Funds raised through the proceeds from Sound Minds will improve access to DLC’s innovative prevention, intervention, treatment and education services.

For ticket and sponsorship information, visit DLCSoundMinds.org or contact DLC at 239-354-1445 or donorcare@DLCenters.org .

Sponsors

Sponsors to date include Naples Children & Education Foundation, First Florida Integrity Bank, Naples Heart Rhythm Specialists P.A., Gulfshore Business, Centennial Bank, Monica McVicker, Moorings Park, Physicians Regional Healthcare System, Sunshine Ace Hardware, and FineMark National Bank & Trust.

More About Solome Tibebu

Solomé Tibebu is the founding Fund Director of The Upswing Fund for Adolescent Mental Health and the Founder and Host of Going Digital: Behavioral Health Tech summit, the largest conference focused on virtual behavioral health. She is also the co-author of ReThink Behavioral Health Innovation, the source for digital behavioral health technology and startups. She is a board director and advisor to various adolescent and adult mental health organizations and for-profit companies throughout the United States.

Tibebu work as an investor, entrepreneur, consultant, and behavioral health technology expert has been featured in TEDx Talk, The Huffington Post, Forbes, Modern Healthcare, Inc. Magazine, Upworthy, Psychology Today, and as a Harvard Business Review case study.

About David Lawrence Centers

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 290,000 treatment sessions. To learn more, please call 239-455-8500 or visit www.DLCenters.org.