This graphic depicts the look of the new behaviorial center in Lecanto.
Special to the Chronicle
Mental health services in Citrus County continue to expand, and county commissioners got an update Thursday on what’s ahead for one of the area’s largest behavioral health providers.
Rick Hankey, president and CEO of LifeStream Behavioral Center, submitted the organization’s annual report to commissioners, highlighting recent growth in Citrus County and plans for a new behavioral health facility in Lecanto.
In remarks prepared for the meeting, Hankey said LifeStream has continued to strengthen its presence in the county over the past year by expanding services, building community partnerships and increasing access to care.
“At LifeStream, we believe every community deserves access to compassionate, high-quality behavioral health care, and Citrus County is an incredibly important part of that mission,” Hankey wrote.
Hankey said one of the biggest developments is a new behavioral health building under construction in Lecanto. The facility is expected to open in early 2027 and will significantly increase LifeStream’s ability to serve local residents.
“This new facility represents a significant investment in the future of behavioral health care in Citrus County and will allow LifeStream to serve individuals and families in an expanded capacity while continuing to provide the high-quality, compassionate care our community deserves,” he said.
Behavioral health services include mental health treatment, substance abuse recovery programs, crisis intervention and other support services for individuals and families.
County commissioners did not comment on the presentation, which was part of the meeting’s consent agenda.
Some of the data in Hankey’s presentation offers a snapshot of the behavioral health challenges facing Citrus County residents who sought treatment through LifeStream last year.
Overall, the data suggests that substance abuse, mood disorders and trauma-related conditions remain among the biggest behavioral health concerns facing local residents seeking treatment.
Substance abuse and addiction-related issues were the most common diagnoses, accounting for 22% of the people served. Bipolar disorders and depression each made up 20% of diagnoses.
Other common conditions included trauma- and stress-related disorders (12%), schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders (12%), anxiety disorders (4%), and a variety of other mental health conditions (10%).
The report also shows that adults between the ages of 26 and 45 made up the largest share of LifeStream’s clients. That age group accounted for more than 37% of the people served last year, far more than any other age category.
Fire Chief Craig Stevens said the county enters into an annual agreement with LifeStream to ensure services are available for individuals in crisis and those needing ongoing behavioral health care.
The provider serves as the county’s designated agency for Baker Act and Marchman Act evaluations, along with a broader range of behavioral and social services.
The agreement is funded through the county’s general fund and is required under state law, which mandates a local match to support mental health and substance abuse programs.
LifeStream is required to submit an annual community report detailing how county funds are spent, how many clients are served and the amount of services provided, according to Stevens.
That information is used to track service levels, measure the county’s return on investment and ensure transparency and accountability in the delivery of behavioral health and transport services.
As of February 2025, Citrus County Fire Rescue has taken over as contract monitor for the agreement, a role previously handled by the Department of Community Services.
The change is intended to strengthen oversight and improve coordination of behavioral health response efforts.
For more information about LifeStream Behavioral Center, visit www.lsbc.net.