Journalists are encouraged to call the agency’s Office of Development and Public Relations at (239) 791-1592 or (239) 791-1575 to coordinate an interview or for specific information relating to mental illnesses or substance abuse. Lee Mental Health can provide experts to supplement your journalistic efforts and will assist you in any way possible.

Below is basic information on Lee Mental Health Center that can be used at any time to enhance your reporting on Lee Mental Health Center and/or its services.

Lee Mental Health grants permission to any journalist or media outlet to reproduce, transmit or broadcast the following information as needed, crediting Lee Mental Health Center for the information.

  • Please refer to the agency as “Lee Mental Health Center.” The agency is not affiliated with Lee Memorial Health System.
  • Lee Mental Health Center is registered with the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit charity and was chartered in 1969.
  • Lee Mental Health Center provides services on two campuses; the Ruth Cooper campus and Vista campus.
  • Lee Mental Health Center’s Vista campus is the only Baker Act receiving facility in Lee County.
  • In 2009, the agency served more than 6,500 individuals.
  • Of those 6,500 individuals, 993 children were served on the Children’s Crisis Stabilization Unit.
  • 16 - # of beds in our Rieves Residential Program for individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia or a mood disorder.
  • 16 - # of beds in our Drug Abuse Treatment and Education Program.
  • 30 - # of beds in our Adult Crisis Stabilization Unit. Average stay is three days.
  • 10 - # of beds in our Children’s Crisis Stabilization Unit/Addiction Receiving Facility. Average stay is three days.
  • Crisis services are available 24-hours a day, 7-days-a-week, including holidays by calling (239) 275-4242.

AGENCY BROCHURES

Below are links to pdf files containing links Lee Mental Health brochures. Printed versions are available upon request.

Access Center

Drug Abuse Treatment & Education (DATE)

Children's Crisis Stabilization Unit

Children's Comprehensive Community Service Team

Therapeutic Behavioral On-Site Services

General Agency Overview

Rieves Residential

Diversion Program

Adult Crisis Stabilization Unit

Functional Family Therapy

Lee Mental Health is a United Way Partner Agency funded, in part, through contracts with the State of Florida's Department of Children and Families, the Lee County Board of Commissioners, private donations and grants received from the Southwest Florida Community Foundation, Cape Coral Community Foundation, The Able Trust, the Gannett Foundation and the City of Ft. Myers. Lee Mental Health is a private, non-profit 501(c) charity.