Directions for Living

11/12/2025

Directions for Living’s Adopt a Family program is back — and it’s one of the most meaningful ways to bring holiday magic to Pinellas County kids! This cherished tradition supports families who have survived domestic violence and other traumas, those working to overcome mental health or substance use challenges, and families experiencing homelessness who fear their little ones may go without gifts this year.

Each season, your generosity brightens the holidays for more than 500 children in our community. What makes this program so special is the care behind every detail — we learn each child’s actual holiday wishes, preserve parents’ dignity by delivering unwrapped gifts that they can see before giving to their children, and ensure every present comes complete with extras like wrapping paper, batteries, or helmets. With so many families facing greater hardships than usual this year, your support matters more than ever.

Help us keep this beautiful tradition alive and spread joy where it’s needed most at www.directionsforliving.org/adopt-a-family.

10/30/2025

If your SNAP benefits are delayed next month, our community is here to help ensure your family has food. Use this Food Pantry Finder from St. Petersburg Free Clinic and the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County of Pinellas County to locate pantries near you: https://thespfc.org/map/

What if you had access to a comprehensive directory of free food resources at your fingertips? Thanks to support from the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County you can visit the SPFC website and utilize the Find Food feature to locate the nearest free food resources in your area.

10/27/2025

Recently, DFL joined Florida Blue and the Tampa Bay Lightning for the 4th annual Strike the Stigma Symposium, where students from across Tampa Bay came together to learn about mental health.

Our team led discussions on understanding how to spot the signs of mental health challenges, start conversations, and find support when it’s needed most.

We’re so grateful to everyone who made this day of learning, hope, and connection possible!

10/27/2025

Last Friday, DFL team members attended Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County's annual KidsFirst Award Luncheon to celebrate the four quarterly KidsFirst Cooperman-Bogue Award winners, including DFL First Five Classroom Consultant, Gabriella Moran! This important award recognizes outstanding social services professionals who provide direct services and work tirelessly to put children first. Congratulations to Gabriella and the other quarterly award winners for their well-deserved recognition, and to JWB for another great event!

10/20/2025

8,000 strong!

In 2020, the Lawrence Dimmitt IV Mental Health First Aid Initiative began with a goal: to make mental health awareness a community priority.

Since then, Directions for Living has trained over 8,000 people to recognize the signs of mental illness, encourage early intervention, and connect others to care. We offer Adult, Youth, and Teen Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), along with Spanish-speaking classes, so that mental health support and understanding are accessible to everyone in our community.

With 5 new MHFA Instructors joining our team this year, our reach and impact continues to grow... and so does our collective strength in breaking the stigma around mental health.

10/14/2025

Directions for Living is proud to partner with Florida Behavioral Health Association for Behavioral Health Day 2025. Join us and other advocates tomorrow, October 15 at the Historic Florida Capitol Museum to hear state legislators and agency leaders discuss mental health and substance use treatment in Florida.

09/10/2025

Today is , a time to focus on prevention, education, and treatment services for those affected by su***de or struggling with suicidal thoughts. Together, we can reduce stigma and foster supportive, resilient communities.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call 9-8-8.

09/08/2025

Last week, Directions for Living team members attended the 2025 Florida Children and Families Summit in Orlando! We were proud to join professionals from across the state to share ideas, learn best practices, and strengthen our commitment to keeping children and families safe and supported.

08/22/2025

This week, Directions for Living is proud to join behavioral health professionals from across our state at the Florida Behavioral Health Conference . This annual conference brings together leaders, providers, and advocates from every corner of the behavioral health world. While our perspectives and approaches to care may differ, we are united by one mission: to change lives.

08/15/2025

DFL team members attended the annual CIT International Conference this week in Anaheim, CA to learn about new and innovative CIT related initiatives. One of our team members even got to meet CIT International Executive Director and former professional football player, Bart Oates, and try on his Super Bowl ring (second picture)!

CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) is a training program designed to improve the way law enforcement responds to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis and an important initiative for Directions for Living. Our team learned a lot this week and is excited to bring back fresh ideas to better serve our community!

08/14/2025

Our President & CEO, Board Chair, and Board Secretary attended the AchieveHERs Signature Luncheon today in Clearwater, featuring Emmy-winning NFL reporter, . During the event, our leaders heard inspiring stories and joined a celebration of women breaking barriers and changing the game. Thank you for an inspiring afternoon!

08/14/2025

We have no-cost spots available in our upcoming Youth Mental Health First Aid virtual courses on August 19 and September 9.

This training is crucial and saves lives – it is designed for everyone, from first responders to mental health professionals to anybody and everybody in our community. Participants will become certified in Mental Health First Aid and will be able to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness as they encounter them in their everyday lives.

Visit www.mentalhealthfirstaidpinellas.org for more information and to register today.