Minding your mental health
Mental Health Awareness Month
By Cynthia Reeves / Photos by Kate Treick Photography
“We should all be born with a birthday and a counselor. Because everybody goes through something.”
That is Alicia Williams’ philosophy on mental health. We all need a little help sometimes. Williams is a lead health navigator for Faith Health Network and a board-certified mental health coach.
She runs a small nonprofit called LoveTags, which is a bridge between healthcare and church congregations.
Her goal is to bring moms, dads and kids to the table to reduce the stigma associated with mental health.
On the fourth Thursday of each month, she hosts an “Empowerment Night” family dinner at the Woodlands Community Center, focusing on getting people the community resources they need.
“I tell people all the time, we all have mental health, but we don’t all have mental illness, and we’re responsible for our mental health.”
Williams says too often the picture of mental health is “someone having a breakdown, unable to function.” The reality is that many people are functioning, but are not healed and just need support.
She is hopeful that making mental health activities part of everyday life will loosen the stigma associated with seeking help — especially in the black community where she sees people afraid to talk about what is happening behind closed doors.
Numbers of People in Need Rising
The team at The Lakeview Center in Pensacola applauds the work of nonprofits like LoveTags because there are serious gaps in funding at a time when the number of individuals seeking help is increasing.
Lakeview’s 2025 Annual Report painted a grim picture of the scope of mental health needs in our region, but marketing director Kelsi Gulig and the team at Lakeview find hope in their outreach, accessibility and compassionate care.
Lakeview provided behavioral health services to 29,458 people in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton Counties.
24% of those served are children.
On average, 50 new clients seek treatment each day.
The Mobile Response Team served over 3,008 people experiencing a mental health crisis.
Each month, team members conducted 2,827 counseling sessions, 604 outpatient psychiatric evaluations and 3,880 follow-ups.
That’s nearly 2,500 more men, women and children seeking behavioral health services over the previous year.
Acute Care Services director Carolyn Shearman explained that people come to the center both voluntarily and involuntarily, but despite funding shortfalls, she is spreading the message that there is a plethora of services available to help those in crisis.
Over the last few years, the number of beds available at Lakeview has increased from about 10 to 30. Plus, the addiction recovery facility is now separate, so it adds an additional ten beds.
The time setting up counseling appointments has also increased.
“Our counselors that are working with someone in the central seating facility are going to have an appointment before they even leave the building,” Shearman said.
Lakeview also helps when a person comes in needing someone to talk to but not necessarily inpatient services.
“We might connect them to a counseling appointment and then possibly medication management.”
Peer specialists are also on hand to serve as role models. They are able to say, “I was in exactly that place,” and offer sound advice.
The center also helps patients get medicines at a reduced cost.
“Clients are encouraged to use our pharmacy because our medications are really reasonable when it comes to pricing, and there are sliding pay scales.”
“Cost shouldn’t be a barrier that keeps people from getting what they need,” Shearman said.
FUNDING GAPS
Lakeview’s annual report highlights a $5,000,000 “Give Back” funding gap that plagued the organization last year.
Natasha Sluder, the new development director for Lakeview Center’s parent company LifeView Group, explained that unfortunately not all beds in the facility are funded, and there are many areas with deficiencies.
“We’ve got gaps in basic needs like clothing. We’ve got gaps in medications or getting those expensive medications. There are transportation gaps. Gaps getting people into longer-term treatment.”
Sadly, some individuals will be unhoused without a safe place to stay.
Hope
The goal is for clients in crisis to know that the community surrounding them cares and that they can access the right care at the right time with dignity.
Shearman calls Lakeview’s mission the power of immediate access.
“If people will just come to us and use the opportunities, we’ll find a way to help.”
Sluder says the Lakeview team will do whatever it takes — and always has.
“There’s people that will think, or they’re fearful that, there’s something wrong with them — when really, we just need to figure out what’s right with them.”
WANT TO HELP?
What: Lakeview Center is a nonprofit dedicated to helping people in all aspects of mental health.
Info: elakeviewcenter.org
Email: natasha.sluder@lifeviewgroup.org
Lakeview works with local shelters and community programs. If you are interested in donating, visit their website or reach out.
SERVICES:
If you or someone you know is in need of mental health services:
988; call or text for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline
850-281-5334 or 866-517-7766 for the emergency Mobile Response Team at Lakeview
850-469-3500; for new client outpatient registration at Lakeview
