Lee Carlson Center for Mental Health & Wellbeing

Lee Carlson Center for Mental Health & Wellbeing (LCC) is a non-profit community mental health center located in the Fridley, Minnesota. We are committed to providing affordable and exceptional mental health services to the community. 

The need for mental health services in Minnesota is growing at an alarming rate. Our state ranks 4th in the nation for depression (MN Department of Health), and nearly 38% of Minnesota adults reported symptoms of anxiety and depression in 2021 (National Alliance on Mental Illness). With 25% of Minnesota adults living with mental illness, the demand for mental health care far exceeds the available resources. Over 1.7 million Minnesotans live in communities without enough mental health providers, making access to care even more critical.

At Lee Carlson Center for Mental Health & Wellbeing, we have been responding to this need since 1979, providing trauma-informed care for children, adults, and families. We serve some of Minnesota’s most vulnerable populations—offering mental health counseling, school-based therapy, and domestic violence intervention programs. We are particularly proud of our Bridgeview Drop-In Center, which provides life-changing services for adults with serious and persistent mental illness at no cost. With your support, we’ve been able to impact more than 6,000 lives annually, providing care to those who need it most, regardless of their ability to pay.

In 2023, we covered over $75,000 in care costs for individuals who were under- or uninsured, ensuring that no one in need of mental health care is turned away. This amount is expected to rise as we continue our work, and we depend on your support to meet these growing needs. Your gift helps cover these non-billable care costs:

- School-Based Mental Health Program: Your gift helps eliminate barriers for students to access mental health services directly in their schools, especially as student mental health challenges have escalated in the aftermath of the pandemic.

- Support for Parents and Guardians: Parents and guardians of students in the school-based mental health program also require psychoeducation and support as they navigate how to best support their children and address their own mental health needs. Your gift ensures that they can access these resources.

- Bridgeview Members: Adults with severe and persistent mental illnesses are able to access mental health care through our Bridgeview Drop-In Center, regardless of ability to pay. Your gift helps provide a wide range of mental health services, including individual and group therapies, art therapies, and other resources that contribute to their overall well-being.

- Un- or Underinsured Neighbors: Your contributions allow LCC to offer outpatient clinical therapy to neighbors who are un- or underinsured. This ensures that they can receive the necessary mental health care even when they cannot afford it.

Your support is essential in maintaining and expanding these vital mental health services, especially as the demand for mental health care continues to grow, and financial challenges persist in the post-pandemic environment. We can't continue this critical work without YOU!

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