Demand growing for inpatient youth mental health services

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FORT MYERS, Fla. — A rising volume of cases involving children at a mental health and substance abuse center in Fort Myers has forced the facility to add extra beds.

The number of pediatric cases at SalusCare’s Colonial Campus, 10140 Deer Run Farms Road, has spiked in recent months, in part because training for local law enforcement officers is helping them recognize when children need help, said Tina Sumo, senior assistant vice president of acute care and residential programs.

SalusCare used to see about 90 kids per month and now sees as many as 140, Sumo said, prompting the addition of four new sleeping spaces over the summer.

The facility treats cases ranging from those involving family problems, anger issues and difficulty concentrating in school to severe drug use and self-cutting.

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