Behavioral Health
The need for mental health services for Virginians has never been more clear.
While some help is available for those suffering from the most serious mental illnesses, few resources are available for uninsured Virginians trying to cope with depression, anxiety and other similar mental health challenges. Untreated, these conditions interfere with families, jobs and lives.
How VHCF is helping
The Virginia Health Care Foundation is involved in several efforts to increase access to mental health care for uninsured Virginians:
A New Lease On Life: Health for Virginians with Mental Illness is a $2 million special initiative to provide uninsured Virginians with treatment for basic mental health services, and to provide primary medical care and prescriptions medicines to uninsured Virginians with serious mental illness. It combines the expertise and talents of local health safety net organizations (free clinics, community health centers) and local community services boards to address serious unmet needs through two innovative approaches.
VHCF Grants: Mental health project funding for new initiatives is available through VHCF’s grants dedicated to increasing access to health care.
Pro Bono Mental Health Model: Those interested in replicating a successful VHCF initiative are encouraged to apply for Models that Made It funding. The mental health services Model that Made It is the pro bono mental health program initiated by the Mental Health Association of the New River Valley. Through this program, mental health services for low-income uninsured patients provided by on and off-site volunteer professionals and license-eligible mental health trainees.
VHCF Mental Health Provider Resources include access to regular Mental Health Roundtables and a host of reports, materials, podcasts and data on the successes and challenges of providing behavioral health care to Virginia’s uninsured and underserved.
Through these and other grants and programs, VHCF is helping improve access to mental health care for Virginians statewide.
