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The Children’s Crisis Unit outdoor space is going green… literally. Thanks to a $6,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Collier County, we are now able to create an outdoor fitness and recreation area that promotes healing and recovery.

The Children’s Crisis Unit provides brief voluntary and involuntary inpatient evaluation and treatment for children and teens experiencing acute psychiatric, behavioral or emotional crises.  Our current expansion, now wrapping up, has added four beds to accommodate the 28 percent increase in admissions over the last two years. This new outdoor space is the final stage of construction and will be complete by the end of this year.

Artificial turf and a retractable canvas awning will let our fitness groups meet outdoors or inside, regardless of the weather. Child and adolescent clients, who typically stay on the inpatient unit for two to three days, will enjoy therapeutic activities outside, such as yoga, tai chi, and pet therapy.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is an essential part of mental health recovery, particularly for children. Exercise provides an outlet for stress and anxiety, and is a way for troubled children to channel their energy. As they spend time in our new space, children will practice coping and social skills. An added holistic benefit is that physical activity helps control obesity in children who are on medications that can cause weight gain.

On behalf of the hundreds of children who will benefit from this enriching and holistic form of therapy, we offer our sincerest appreciation.