“There is no health without mental health.” But what does that look like for people with financial constraints who are not able to access mental health services? As mental health therapy has become more normalized over the past few years and more people are seeking out therapy services, it has also become more difficult for some people to access care. 

Mental health care access is a critical issue in Louisiana, with limited resources and healthcare provider shortages in the state, particularly in rural communities such as Central Louisiana. In fact, Mental Health America ranked Louisiana as one of the states with highest prevalence of mental illness and lowest access to care. Despite mental health parity laws, a lack of in-network, health insurance mental health providers have contributed to barriers in accessing care, even for people with health insurance coverage. Medicaid recipients in Central Louisiana have an especially difficult time finding mental health providers who accept Medicaid.

Recognizing this need, Thrive Unburdened, Inc, a non-profit mental health therapy practice based in Leesville, LA, developed Growth & Relief to help bridge the gap in services for those in the Central Louisiana area, particularly in Vernon, Sabine, and Beauregard Parishes, who are not able to financially afford therapy. 

Barriers to Accessing Mental Health Services for Low-Income and Medicaid Recipients: 

A recent review of the resources in the above-named parishes highlights the stark reality faced by low-income and Medicaid recipients in accessing mental health care. In Vernon Parish (pop. 47,247), only four resources offering therapy services accept Medicaid, while Beauregard Parish (pop. 36,570) and Sabine Parish (pop. 21,985) have even fewer, with three each. Compounding these challenges are the disparities across managed care organizations (MCOs). Six MCOs, including Aetna Better Health of Louisiana, AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana, Inc., Healthy Blue, Humana Healthy Horizons in Louisiana, Louisiana Healthcare Connections, and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, serve the region. However, the number of in-network Medicaid providers varies significantly, with Vernon Parish having 26 providers, Beauregard with 15, and Sabine with 7. It's worth noting that most of these providers are listed on only one or two MCOs, potentially limiting access for Medicaid recipients. The median household incomes for these parishes are as follows: Vernon-$53,215; Sabine-$39,975; and Beauregard-$57,130. When considering Medicaid eligibility criteria, which includes a family of four with an annual income of $43,056, it becomes evident that many in our region may qualify for Medicaid. On average, out-of-pocket rates for a 1hr therapy session may range from $100-$150 in Louisiana. For people with significant mental health issues who need consistent therapy, these costs can wrack up fairly quickly and become unsustainable for people with limited finances.

Why Growth & Relief: 

Since Thrive Unburdened, Inc began providing services to Louisiana residents in 2021, we have provided sliding scale options to clients with limited financial resources. In January 2022, we opened a local office in the Leesville-Ft. Johnson (formerly Ft. Polk) area to help meet the mental health need in the community. In response to these barriers, our CENLA Thrive: Growth & Relief program emerges as a critical resource for low-income individuals and Medicaid recipients in our area. The Growth & Relief Program seeks to fill in the gap for these clients by offering up to 12 FREE therapy sessions to clients who qualify. In our research, we have not identified a program such as ours that provides free therapy to financially disadvantaged members of the community.  Services provided through this program are provided by a counseling intern (graduate student) or provisionally licensed therapist (post-Master's therapist working towards full licensure), under the supervision of an independently licensed mental health therapist. By offering free therapy sessions, the program aims to eliminate financial obstacles for those in need, expand access to essential mental health services, and contribute to the enhancement of the mental health workforce in the area. The focus of this program reflects our commitment to serving underserved populations in this region where resources are limited.

Call to Action: 

Most of the time, after identifying a need in a community, the reaction is often that “they” should do something about it. The reality is that we are “they.” You are “they.” We cannot turn a blind eye to the needs of our communities, and we ask that you stand with us in making mental health services accessible to those in need. So far this year, we have provided 16 FREE therapy sessions, and we want to do more! You can make a difference in the lives of financially disadvantaged individuals in Central Louisiana by supporting our Growth & Relief program. Your donation will help us maintain and expand the program, ensuring that individuals in need have access to vital mental health services. Together, we can work towards a healthier and more resilient community. Visit https://thriveunburdened.org/donate to make a donation today.

Conclusion: 

The CENLA Thrive: Growth & Relief program represents a vital step towards addressing mental health disparities for financially disadvantaged individuals in Central Louisiana. By offering free therapy sessions for those in need and removing financial barriers, the program has the potential to make a profound impact on individuals and communities in the region. As efforts continue to strive for equitable access to mental health care, initiatives like CENLA Thrive: Growth & Relief serve as beacons of hope for those in need. We hope you will partner with us!