Press Packet

Journalists are encouraged to call the agency's office of Community Relations & Development at (239) 791-1575 or (239) 791-1592 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.
  • Nearly 11,000 individuals were served in fiscal year 2010-11, a 27% increase over the previous fiscal year and the most in the agency's 42 year history.
  • 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.
  • 12 - # 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 or call 911.