FORT MYERS, Fla. - TelAve -- In recognition of September's Suicide Prevention week, Five Guys Gives Back raised $6,500 for Kids' Minds Matter to support educational programs, community outreach and more.

The money was raised through 20% of the sales on Sept. 14 at locations in Lee and Charlotte counties, the website and from the app.

"By ordering food at Five Guys on Sept. 14, residents helped support Kids' Minds Matter while helping to change the conversation about mental health and raise vital support for pediatric behavioral health needs in the community," said Anne Frazier, system director of development at Lee Health. "Kids' Minds Matter's efforts to expand availability of pediatric mental and behavioral services since 2016 has not been possible without the support of business partners like Five Guys and the community."

Franchise co-owner Dan Beaulieu has continued to support Kids' Minds Matter in recognition of his daughter's own struggles with mental health. Support has included sponsorship of Normal is Overrated and other donation days since 2021. To date, donations and sponsorships from the local Five Guys franchises have raised $34,500 for Kids' Minds Matter.

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With community support, Kids' Minds Matter was able to add five new pediatric and behavioral health positions; serve 137 families through its Mental Health Navigator program, increasing school attendance and decreasing crisis hospitalizations; purchase a specialized transport vehicle for children who have been Baker Acted to reduce stress; launch a parenting class at Lee and Collier County Correction facilities; and provide parenting classes, Mental First Aid training, youth initiative meetings and community presentations to 1,207 people in 2023.

Plans in 2024 include continuing to increase the number of providers, grow clinics throughout Southwest Florida, expand emergency care for kids in mental health crisis, develop an intensive outpatient program and partial hospitalization program, expand the Mental Health Navigator program, encourage outpatient group therapy and more.

Another give back day to benefit Kids' Minds Matter at local Five Guys franchises is planned January 11, 2025. For information on how to support Kids' Minds Matter, visit KidsMindsMatter.com/Donate.

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About Kids' Minds Matter

Founded in 2016 by Susan Goldy and Scott Spiezle, Kids' Minds Matter is a unified movement in Southwest Florida dedicated to advancing pediatric mental and behavioral health services. By developing clinical pathways to screen and treat patients, enhancing public awareness through education, and lobbying for systemic change and sustainable funding, Kids' Minds Matter aims to align mental health providers, local agencies, the judicial system, law enforcement, schools and faith-based organizations. Kids' Minds Matter is managed through the Lee Health Foundation. Please visit KidsMindsMatter.com (http://www.kidsmindsmatter.com/) or call 239-343-6950 for more information.