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Limited Care Capacity
Limited Care Capacity
ALMHA's mission is to improve the mental health of New Yorkers. We view mental health access as a social justice issue, with disparate access reducing the quality of life and longevity of oppressed communities. ALMHA works to bridge the treatment gap, by cultivating capacity within individuals and physical and professional communities.
More than 56% of residents of the United States have sought help for distress. Yet, despite having health insurance, there is a care crisis with provider shortages across the country. In New York City, access to care has always been problematic, but since the pandemic, there is a critical need for both care and clinicians.
Through collaborations with community clinics and area professional schools, as well as established providers, ALMHA develops clinicians in their use of evidence-based, culturally appropriate approaches assuring they enter practice settings well-equipped to effectively meet the need for mental health care.
Cultivating capacity
Access to treatment services
Access to treatment services
Even before the pandemic, New Yorkers were experiencing significant distress and most were unable to access services. Despite improvements, waitlists for services remain-especially if there are language issues.
Connecting communities to care
Connecting communities to care
While finding care is a barrier, this is further complicated by issues of race with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). A clinician's lack of understanding of and sensitivity to how identity contributes to and buffers against race-based traumatic stress and sexual orientation or gender discrimination is a key factor in ending treatment, with one study finding 20% of treatment seekers terminating care because of it.ALMHA is committed to evidence-based, trauma-informed services that are affirming, inclusive, and liberatory. Counseling and therapy are a part of a holistic approach to assisting individuals better connect with their bodies, selves, and their communities.
Practitioner Development
Practitioner Development
Seeing our communities reflected in the therapeutic process is profoundly healing and liberating. Yet, the systemic inequalities that contribute to health disparities are mirrored in the availability of providers: white therapists are 3x more available than their BIPOC counterparts. Likewise, only 13% of therapists identify as LGBTQ+ so individuals of color who are also sexual or gender minorities face even greater challenges. And, the dearth of BIPOC clinicians has contributed to burnout and attrition.ALMHA is committed to creating a network of affirming and inclusive clinicians. Beyond actively recruiting from within marginalized communities, we provide training and resources to assure clinicians are supported throughout their professional development.
Access to professional development
Access to professional development
Many enter care only to feel unseen and unheard. Despite progress in educating clinicians of color, their experiences and cultures are not effectively leveraged to optimize readiness for and success in achieving licensure.
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