Special to The Message
Catholic Charities Diocese of Evansville was recently awarded a $129,600 Mental Health Pathway Grant from United Way of Southwestern Indiana.
“We are grateful that United Way of Southwestern Indiana recognizes the mental health needs in our community and is investing resources to support them,” Catholic Charities Executive Director Denise Seibert Townsend said. “We are honored that United Way chose to partner with Catholic Charities to ensure counseling services are available to those most in need.”
The grant will support Catholic Charities in providing individual and family counseling services. These services are provided using a sliding-fee scale to reduce financial barriers, Seibert Townsend explained, with intentional efforts to ensure accessibility for non-English-speaking populations.
“This grant will support Catholic Charities’ efforts to keep services affordable and accessible by using a sliding scale fee for those seeking care,” Seibert Townsend said. “In addition, this grant helps us to continue our services for individuals who speak Spanish.
“Access to mental health services is critical to our community. Mental health is an important part of individual well-being, as well as our community well-being. Through our services, we help individuals and families experiencing a variety of mental health issues cope with the stresses of daily life. We are proud that Catholic Charities can be a resource for individuals and families seeking counseling services.”
Catholic Charities received one of six grants that United Way of Southwestern Indiana (UWSWI) recently announced, totaling nearly $1 million in grant awards through its Pathways to Potential initiative. This is the third round of funding for the Mental Health Pathway, according to a United Way press release, which is a community investment strategy focused on improving access to behavioral health services, increasing mental health care awareness, and equipping individuals and families with skills to build resilience and overall well-being.
Grant recipients were selected based on their ability to improve access to behavioral health services, mental health education and skill-building opportunities for low-income households and underserved populations in Spencer, Vanderburgh and Warrick counties, the press release stated. Priority was given to programs serving individuals who are uninsured or underinsured, recognizing the significant barriers many residents face in obtaining timely and affordable mental health care.
In addition, the press release noted that consideration was given to organizations addressing critical gaps in services for preschool-aged children and other populations who experience a lack of mental health care resources. UWSWI continues to advance a more accessible, equitable and responsive behavioral health system across Southwestern Indiana.
Other Mental Health Pathway Grantees:
- Community Action Program of Evansville was awarded $109,681 to implement the Growing Healthy Minds program for children ages 0-5 in the Head Start program
- Holly’s House was awarded $148,490 to support mental health services for children who have experienced domestic violence, physical or sexual abuse, or witnessed a violent crime
- Southwestern Behavioral Health Care was awarded $188,622 to support expansion of their Southwestern Neurodevelopment Center.
- University of Evansville’s Emily M. Young Mental Health Clinic was awarded $250,000 to support comprehensive mental health services for lower-income individuals, families and others facing significant barriers to care
- Youth First was awarded $150,000 to fund school-based mental health education and skill-building prevention programming in EVSC schools
Grant proposal evaluations were conducted by United Way’s Mental Health Expert Taskforce. Task Force members were selected for their professional expertise and experience in the field of mental health, including psychologists, psychiatrists, licensed social workers and occupational therapists with clinical expertise in child, adolescent and adult behavioral health services. The Expert Taskforce members had a range of experience in providing clinical services in schools, hospitals and community settings along with programming and supervisory roles.
United Way of Southwestern Indiana’s Pathway Grants are designed to address root causes of poverty and are made possible through the generous donations of individuals and businesses in our community.
If you or someone you know is seeking mental health counseling services, please contact Catholic Charities. State-licensed staff provide individual, marriage and family counseling for both children and adults, explained Seibert Townsend. Services are available in English and Spanish, and appointments can be scheduled in Evansville, Jasper and Washington, as well as via tele-therapy.
To schedule an appointment or for more information on Catholic Charities, please call 812-423-5456 or visit www.ccevansville.org.