City gives $20K grant to new ‘Wellness without Walls’ program

Dec. 30, 2020 | G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com

SPRINGFIELD – The toll the pandemic is taking on the mental and emotional health of people is being addressed by a program offered by The Mental Health Association  (MHA).

That program, “Wellness without Walls” was recently awarded $20,000 of Community Development Block Grant funds by the city of Springfield

Kim Lee, the MHA’s vice president of resource development and branding, said at a recent press conference last week the way people have to work and attend school plus the lack of physical contact has been stressful.

“It’s important to look after your mental health as much as your physical health,” she said.

The initiative provides access to therapies for addiction and mental health regardless of insurance. The Wellness without Walls program is designed to help low-or-moderate income people who may or may not have insurance, according to information supplied by the MHA. The grant is for one year of support.

Mayor Domenic Sarno said, “[the program] leaves no one behind, insurance or no insurance.”

Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris, added, “The trauma that has been caused by this virus has been unprecedented.”

Elayne Burgess, director of the MHA out-patient clinic said that anxiety, depression, suicide and domestic and child abuse have increased due to the pandemic.

MHA CEO Cheryl Fasano said of the association’s 500 employees this has been a “unprecedented and incredibly difficult time” that has made their work “ten times harder.”

To learn more about Wellness Without Walls or to receive emotional support through MHA’s Bestlife clinic, please call 844-MHA-WELL or email bestlife@mhainc.org.

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