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Stories

Faced with a rising need for mental health and substance misuse care, Lakeview Center has grown with our community since 1954. Each year, we serve more than 29,000 adults and children in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties.

Some of these stories of growth and success – for our team members and those we serve – are below.

All interview requests must be made through the Marketing and Communications department. For assistance, please call 850-503-8164 or e-mail [email protected] or [email protected].

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Lakeview Center marks two years of Crisis Care with 7,500 screenings

Two years of acute crisis care with 7,500 screenings

Pensacola, Fla. (April 9, 2026) – Lakeview Center is celebrating a major milestone in mental health care for Northwest Florida: more than 7,500 Baker Act screenings completed since opening its Central Receiving Facility (CRF)—and the two‑year anniversary of both the CRF and its Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) on the organization’s main campus in Pensacola. Lakeview’s […]

Professional growth journey: Ashtin Lafountain

Professional growth journey: Ashtin Lafountain

As clinical manager and counselor forLakeview Center’s Short‑Term Residential Treatment (SRT) program, Ashtin Lafountain plays a vital role in supporting Individuals during recovery from a mental-health crisis. Ashtin’s journey into mental health was deeply personal. Like many in the field, her interest in psychology began to better understand her own experiences and those within her […]

Partner spotlight: Florida Blue

Partner spotlight: Florida Blue

As mental health needs continue to rise across Northwest Florida, strong community partnerships play a critical role in expanding access to care. For Hong Potomski, recently named Northwest Market President for Florida Blue, the organization’s partnership with Lakeview Center reflects a shared commitment to improving health and well‑being across the region. What continues to resonate […]

Lakeview Center receives grant from St. Joe Community Foundation to renovate Walton County Residential kitchen

St. Joe Community Foundation grant renovates residential kitchen

A $32,400 grant from the St. Joe Community Foundation has enabled a much‑needed kitchen renovation at Lakeview Center of Walton County, enhancing safety and daily living for adults receiving residential mental health care. The grant funded a comprehensive kitchen remodel, including new cabinets, countertops, appliances and other critical upgrades, transforming an outdated space into a […]

Medication‑Assisted Treatment: A path to addiction recovery

Medication‑Assisted Treatment: A path to addiction recovery

For many individuals struggling with opioid dependence, recovery can feel overwhelming—especially when balancing work, family and daily responsibilities. What Is Medication‑Assisted Treatment? Medication‑Assisted Treatment combines FDA‑approved medications with counseling and behavioral therapies to treat opioid use disorder. Rather than focusing solely on abstinence, MAT addresses the physical and psychological aspects of addiction, helping individuals manage […]

Community Action Team members named Lakeview Center Team Members of the Quarter

Community Action Team members named Lakeview Center Team Members of the Quarter

Community Action Team (CAT) members Matthew Harris, Dawn Stewart and Linzy Plessel have been named Lakeview Center’s Team Members of the Quarter for their extraordinary compassion, teamwork and unwavering commitment to the families they serve. Nominated by their managers, Patti Hyde and Hailey Vascik, the trio was recognized for going far beyond their roles while […]

Ramzi’s journey with Lakeview Center’s Community Action Team

Ramzi’s journey with Lakeview Center’s Community Action Team

As a teenager, Ramzi had already endured more emotional turmoil than many adults face in a lifetime. Growing up in a home shaped by a mentally and verbally abusive figure, Ramzi didn’t realize how deeply the trauma had taken root. “I didn’t realize how much mental abuse he had given me—PTSD,” he shared. As life […]

Community Partner Spotlight: Jewelers Trade Shop

Jewelers Trade Shop shines in support of those in need

Legacy of giving For seven decades, Jewelers Trade Shop has been a trusted name in the Pensacola community—known not just for fine craftsmanship and beautiful jewelry, but for a commitment to giving back. Since opening its doors in 1956, the family-owned business has woven philanthropy into its identity, Today, Jewelers Trade Shop’s generosity continues to […]