The National Institute of Mental Health reported that 59.3 million adults in the U.S. have any mental illness, or AMI, as of 2022 (U.S., 2024). The severity of these mental illnesses varies and includes any mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder. The National Alliance on Mental Illness reported that over 3.5 million adults in Florida have a mental health condition as of March of 2025 (Mental, 2025). Forbes Advisor ranked Florida fourth in the top ten worst states for mental health care in 2024 (Norman, 2024). Naples Daily News stated that this ranking was based on each state’s percentage of adults with mental disorders who did not receive care, percentage of those adults who could not afford care or who were uninsured, and the number of mental health centers per 10,000 business. It is estimated that 1.6 million Florida residents are living with an untreated mental illness.
Mental Health Availability: Collier and Lee County v. Other Florida Counties
The Florida Health Charts reported that in 2024 Collier and Lee County had fewer licensed mental health professionals compared to other counties in Florida. Mental health professionals are considered marriage and family counselors, clinical social workers, and mental health counselors who have active licenses in Florida (Florida, 2025). Gulf Coast News reported that in their five-county region, Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades, there was an 88.3 rate per 100,000 residents while the target rate in the area is 188.5 (Dean, 2025). 1,450 licensed professionals are needed to bridge the gap between the current rate and the target rate.
Southwest Florida Organizations and Initiatives
It is more critical than ever to address the shortage in mental health professionals in Florida despite the limited support that providers receive (Flagler, 2025). Organizations such as the Florida Blue Foundation have responded to these challenges by funding nonprofit organizations that offer mental health services and development of mental health professionals. This foundation recognizes that mental health is necessary for an individual to have overall health and well-being. The National Alliance on Mental Illness Southwest Florida is a nonprofit organization located in Fort Myers that provides education and support programs to individuals with mental health illness and their loved ones for free (NAMI, 2025). This organization is dedicated to enhancing individuals with mental illnesses’ quality of life through support, education, and advocacy. The Uyeno Foundation is another organization that funds mental health services that work on mental health prevention, intervention, treatment, and education (Uyeno, 2025). The foundation offers a directory on their website for the public to explore diverse mental health services provided in the area. Despite the shortage, there are still many Southwest Florida organizations who are dedicated to increasing access to services.
AIM Counseling, Wellness, & Consulting: Quality Range of Care
At AIM, we are dedicated to serving the mental health needs of our community (AIM, 2025). Our founder, CEO, and lead clinician, Amie Thomas, LMHC, CTS, QS established AIM in 2014 and has built a team of mental health providers who are committed to approaching each client with clinical skill and empathy. AIM offers a range of mental health services to best meet each client’s needs. Services include psychoeducation, executive functioning support, anxiety related disorders, trauma and grief therapy, depression counseling, couples therapy, individual and family therapy, support for women, men, and parents, consultation, family divorce adjustment, life adjustments, and low acuity outpatient substance abuse. AIM also offers groups and education developed by the team’s unique clinicians.
Groups and Education Offered:
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- Strong Minds Building Brains, Bricks, and Bonds is a boy’s social skills group for ages 10 to 16 that focuses on boosting confidence, teamwork, and emotional awareness.
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- Confidence & Connection Kickstart is an end-of-summer social skills group for ages 6 to 8 that builds confidence with skills that promote social connection.
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- Art with Open Minds is a group that includes the exploration of emotions, coping techniques, social skills, health and wellness, and more.
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- Healing Through Yoga is an educational service that connects physical wellness and emotional wellness through enhancing self-awareness and self-love.
AIM Counseling, Wellness, & Consulting: Investing in Florida’s Future Mental Health Professionals
AIM has developed an intern program for master’s level students to have a solid foundation of therapeutic knowledge and skills. Interns receive individual and group supervision, on-site and off-site opportunities, administration and clinical onboarding training, and skill building training. AIM has partnered with institutions such as Hodges University, Nova Southeastern University, Florida Gulf Coast University, University of Central Florida, University of West Florida, and Liberty University. The mental health care deficit in Florida makes it increasingly difficult for students to become licensed professionals and for supervisors to provide the necessary supervision (Dean, 2025). At AIM, future mental health professionals receive high quality therapeutic training that clearly exhibits how current and aspiring professionals can bring confidence to Florida’s mental health crisis.
References
AIM. (2025). Aim Counseling, Wellness, & Consulting. AIM Counseling, Wellness & Consulting. https://aimcounselingflorida.com/
Dean, E. (2025). Experts: 1400+ mental health professionals needed on Southwest Florida’s Gulf Coast. https://www.gulfcoastnewsnow.com/article/florida-mental-health-lee-collier-charlotte/65986150
Flagler News Weekly. (2025). Florida Blue Foundation 2025 mental well-being grant applications – now open. https://www.flaglernewsweekly.com/florida-blue-foundation-2025-mental-well-being-grant-applications-now-open/
Florida Department of Health. (2025). Behavioral/Mental Health Professionals. FLHealthCHARTS. https://www.flhealthcharts.gov/ChartsDashboards/rdPage.aspx?rdReport=NonVitalIndNoGrp.Dataviewer
Mental Health in Florida. National Alliance on Mental Health. (2025). https://www.nami.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Florida-GRPA-Data-Sheet-8.5-x-11-wide.pdf
NAMI. (2025) About Nami Southwest Florida. NAMI Southwest Florida. https://namiswfl.org/about-nami-southwest-florida/
Norman, L. (2024). Florida ranks in top 5 worst states for mental health care, study says. here’s why. Naples Daily News. https://www.naplesnews.com/story/news/2024/05/08/florida-mental-illness-health-cost-care-rankings-insurance/73596305007/
Uyeno Foundation. (2025). Service Provider Directory. https://uyenofoundation.org/southwest-florida-mental-health-services-directory/
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2024). Mental illness. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness#part_2539