For Immediate Release

October 27, 2000

Eighteen members of the local communities have joined together to form the Southwest Florida Mental Health Task Force to tackle serious concerns about the treatment of mentally ill persons locally.

State Representative Carole Green initiated the Task Force after discussion at a series of community meetings demonstrated a need for further study of the local mental health crisis and a plan to tackle the problem.

"Clearly, we are in the midst of a local crisis in terms of the treatment of the mentally ill in Southwest Florida," Rep. Green says. "We can’t rely on outside interests to solve this problem. We need to come together as a community and tackle it ourselves. We need to ensure our residents with mental illness receive the treatment they need."

The closure of Charter Glade Hospital and the impending closure of G. Pierce Wood Hospital have raised many serious concerns about the treatment of mentally ill persons in Southwest Florida. For example, there is no longer a treatment facility for mentally ill juveniles south of Sarasota in Southwest Florida.

The goal of the task force is to develop both short-term and long-terms solutions to a variety of mental health concerns. The task force members include community leaders, hospital officials, physicians and law enforcement officials (see attached list).

The Southwest Florida Community Foundation has awarded the Task Force a $15,000 grant, which will be used to hire a part-time staff member for the Task Force.

The group’s first meeting is scheduled for Nov. 1 at in Room 211 at International College, 2655 Northbrooke Drive, North Naples. The goal of the first meeting will be to organize the group. At subsequent meetings, the task force will seek input from mental health providers and the public.

Contacts:    Julie Richardson, Rep. Green’s Office, 433-6775
                       Kara Winton, Fort Myers Police Department, 338-2128

Southwest Florida Mental Health Task Force Members