YOUR FAMILY’S HEALTH
By Haris Domond, Healthcare Network Chairman of the Board
Improving Healthcare Access and Quality for Underserved Populations
W
hile protests continue to address issues of racial disparity throughout the United States, another important issue received attention through Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Mental Health Awareness Month in July. BIPOC mental health shouldn’t be relegated to one month. As our country explores the longstanding impact of racism and bigotry, it’s important that we vigorously explore the mental health needs of traditionally underserved and underrepresented populations. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality reports that racial and ethnic minority groups in the U.S. are less likely to have access to mental health services and use community mental health services, and are more likely to use emergency departments and receive lower-quality care. Poor mental health care access and quality of care contribute to poor mental health outcomes, including suicide, among racial and ethnic minority populations. Traumatic events often are considered to be sexual assault, exposure to violence or war, accidents, and natural disasters. But trauma also be can carried through generations from historical adversities, violence, and oppression that have a deep impact on the way victims live, speak, and think, and often translate into socioeconomic disparities
and mental health concerns. Mental Health America, a communitybased nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and promoting the overall mental health of all, issued a position statement on healthcare reform. “Mental Health America believes that all individuals and families should have access to mental health services that are responsive to their needs. This requires minimizing barriers, providing multiple referral and service pathways, redesigning services that are more culturally and linguistically competent and evidence-based, and expanding access in rural and inner-city areas to community-based systems of mental health and substance use services and supports that are integrated with medical care.” This is what Healthcare Network is about. Since 1977, when it was founded as a nonprofit to tackle the medical issues of migrant farm workers, the rural poor and citizens in Collier County, Healthcare Network has welcomed all patients – insured or uninsured – and has provided the same high-quality standard of care to all. This is possible because Healthcare Network offers a sliding fee program that reduces costs to underinsured and uninsured patients based on their income and family size. Healthcare Network provides cutting-edge, best-of-class integrated primary
care addressing the whole person – both body and mind. This integrated care model blends primary care and mental health into one setting, allowing patients to experience a true team-based approach to healthcare. The model is highly effective because patients often seek medical care for physical symptoms that are related to or caused by behavioral issues. In addition, co-locating services reduces the stigma many patients feel when seeking behavioral health services in a traditional setting. As I watch the protests and nationwide discussions in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd, I’m encouraged by increased support of Black-owned and minorityowned businesses. In similar fashion, it is increasingly important that the community supports nonprofit organizations already in place and working to address healthcare disparities to BIPOC communities. HARIS DOMOND is a certified mental health counselor and chairman of the board at Healthcare Network.
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2019
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