We’re on a mission to
improve children’s
mental health services

50%
of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by age 14
750:1
Ratio of population to mental health providers in Florida
70%
of youth in the state and local juvenile justice system have a mental health condition
According to Mental Health America, six out of 10 young people who suffer with mental illness don’t get the treatment they need. That’s because there is a critical shortage of pediatric mental and behavioral healthcare services in the U.S. Worse yet, most families struggle to pay for services that are available. This national crisis is affecting children and families in our region of Southwest Florida too. Golisano Children’s Hospital’s mental and behavioral health care fund – Kids’ Minds Matter – is here to help.
Stories of Hope
Hear from mental health advocates and local children on why enhanced mental and behavorial health services are vital.
Recent News and Updates
An Alarming Children’s Mental Health Epidemic
February 22, 2021
Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida and Kids’ Minds Matter began working to address an alarming children’s mental health epidemic in 2016. Recognizing a lack of resources, our goal was
Kids’ Minds Matter announces March 18 mental health event: Unmasking the Epidemic
February 11, 2021
Free public event will educate the community on the pediatric mental health epidemic facing the community FORT MYERS, Fla. (Jan. 28, 2021) – It is no secret that COVID-19 has
Mental Health Mondays – School Counselors: All in for All Students!
February 10, 2021
View Upcoming Sessions “School Counselors: All in for All Students!” On Monday, Feb. 1, Lori Brooks, director of school counseling and Mental Health Services for the School District of Lee
Our Impact Since 2017
As part of the region’s strategic solution to the children’s mental and behavioral health epidemic in Southwest Florida, Kids’ Minds Matter is bringing improved access to care for families and providing a framework to connect community partners. This is being done by providing psychologists, psychiatrists, child advocates, social workers and care navigators to help children and families access needed behavioral health services and use them more effectively and efficiently. We are also dedicated to fostering partnerships with other local mental health agencies to advocate for expanded children’s mental health services in our region.
0
+%
Increase in
outpatient pediatric
mental health visits
outpatient pediatric
mental health visits
0
New providers
added
added
0
Mental Health
Navigators
embedded in
Lee & Collier
county schools
Navigators
embedded in
Lee & Collier
county schools
0
+
People trained
through Mental
Health First Aid
through Mental
Health First Aid
0
+
Parents helped
through parenting
groups
through parenting
groups
