Naples mental health training program faces funding loss

NAPLES, Fla. —

The David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health (DLC) in Naples is losing a federal grant that has funded free mental health training for the past four years, but the organization is striving to keep the program free.

"Personally, I've struggled when I was in college, initially on different ways of how do I cope with my mental health," said Jack Hellmer, chair of the David Lawrence Centers Advocates.

DLC is about to lose a federal grant that provides free life-saving mental health training to people on the Gulf Coast.

"We've been able to support over 350 individuals becoming mental health first aid training. And essentially what this does is it empowers individuals that are not mental health professionals to be a force multiplier," Hellmer said.

Over the last four years, the grant has covered facilitation materials, instructor support, and essential resources.

"It jeopardizes a ripple effect of impact within our community. Each individual training has the potential to reach countless others, offering support, intervening in moments of crisis, and in some cases, saving lives," Hellmer said.

The Mental Health Awareness Training grant is set to end on the last day of September.

"The trainings, they kind of progress in how involved a person can be for QPR. That's the question, persuade, refer. That's a suicide prevention training," said Hailey De Los Santos, wellness training and impact coordinator at the David Lawrence Centers.

From learning the basics of mental health to scenario work, these trainings help ensure people know the signs of someone struggling with their mental health.

"When people ask you, you say, oh, I'm good, I'm fine. But in reality, there might be something deeper down going on. And so that training helps ask the right questions and helps you to recognize the signs of when somebody might not be okay," Hellmer said.

Even though the grant is going away, the David Lawrence Centers is still working to keep these crucial trainings free of charge.

"I think the goal will always be to fundraise when we're able to, because to provide a free training that can mean a huge difference for our community members who maybe feel some financial constraints," De Los Santos said.

DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.