The MendCenter Donor Packet

ORIGIN STORY

A message from Dr. Daniel Garcia

I wish my family and I would have had access to a MendCenter when I was growing up. I spent the majority of my childhood and early adolescence absolutely terrified that my mother was on the verge of death from some mysterious illness. Not only did I not have a name for what was occurring, but neither did my family.

My maternal grandmother would simply say to me, “Your mother is very sick.“ All I knew is that she and my father would visit “doctors“ quite frequently and on one indelible occasion, 911 was invoked to come rescue my dying mother. Now I know that my mother has suffered from serious mental illness.

I therefore understand both the suffering and the urgency experienced by patients and their families when it comes to accurately naming and treating serious mental health conditions. The MendCenter is a way for me to help provide the services I wish others could have provided to my mother and my family.

VISION

The MendCenter is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to destigmatizing serious mental health disorders through treatment, education, support and advocacy.

At the heart of our organization lies a profound commitment in helping patients shape the lives they aspire to lead. We firmly believe that every person, regardless of diagnosis, deserves the opportunity to reclaim their sense of self and purpose. Through our integrated services, we strive to provide effective, supportive care that empowers individuals to regain confidence, independence and long-term stability.

Each month, we donate $100,000 worth of treatment to patients in need. This allows people who cannot afford treatment access to the care they both need and deserve. While we strive to continuously offer financial scholarships, we also rely on the support of donors and sponsors to help sustain our mission.

The MendCenter is in search for donors to

WHY TREATMENT MATTERS

In 2021, 14.2 million adults aged 18 or older had a serious mental disorder in the United States (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, etc.).

Over 27 million adults in the U.S. with mental health conditions do not receive treatment. In Texas alone, more than 15 million people live in mental health shortage areas, which reaches only 32.9% of mental health needs.

210,000 adults live with serious mental conditions in the Greater Houston Area, with the top two needs being cost/coverage and access to care.

The growing mental health crisis in our community necessitates that The MendCenter do its part to expand access to literal life-saving treatment, making our services available until long-lasting change is produced. We are determined to advocate for systemic mental health changes within our patients’ communities;

WHAT WE DO

Comprised of 16 specialized clinicians and staff, we offer a diverse array of supportive, diagnostic, and clinical services. Our services range from residential care, intensive outpatient programs, individual therapy, and acute stabilization. We treat schizophrenia spectrum disorders, bi-polar disorders, depressive disorders with psychotic features, obsessive-compulsive disorders, dissociate disorders, personality disorders, and other co-occurring addictive disorders.

Our approach deliberately maintains a small number of patients, ensuring that we deliver the highest and most effective quality of care. Each year, we extend our services to approximately 30 patients and families.

Many private care facilities have specific admission criteria, but we intentionally minimize ours. We recognize significant responsibility comes with caring for individuals who may not be medication-consistent or who may be considered treatment resistant by other therapeutic

TREATMENT PLANS

Unlike institutions with short-term programs, we are committed to treating our patients individually until they can reasonably manage their illness.

Rather than implementing a standardized curriculum, all our services are highly specialized and individualized. We work with each person to create their own treatment plan, which generally translates into at least 6 months of clinical care.

Our services include, but are not limited to: 3x weekly psychotherapy, group therapies and workshops, couples and/or family therapy, psychiatric services and medication management, weekly case management, vocational training, dietary services, emergency on-call services, and community integration opportunities.

me and only me. For me, The MendCenter has become the center of life. I’ve broken the surface and am walking on dry land. It’s a time to rebuild. Now, I have freedom to continue to pave the way for the future while remembering to stay present.”

was introduced to the practice of thread painting and have been combining 2D work with various media to create 3D compositions that bring into question identity and space. ”

ERIC

Patient Testimonial

“You don’t have to live one life forever.”

A. RENÉE

Patient Testimonial

“The MendCenter has saved my life. I worked through a major psychotic break, intrusive thoughts of self-harm, and suicidal ideation. This has been the scariest and most difficult time of my life, but because of the consistent assistance from all the clinicians and residential staff, I now live in an apartment and volunteer at The MendCenter. I now help others who are at different stages of their own journey.”

A.Renée Untitled, 2021

Mixed media collage

“This is a program that is truly patient-centered, and works to reach each person where they’re at in their life. I’m so grateful for all this organization has done for me. It has been a long and arduous three years, but well worth the effort. I am now reconnecting with family and looking forward to the next chapter in my life.”

CASEY

Patient Testimonial

“If I were to reflect on my time at The MendCenter and sum up my experience, it would be analogous to devising a mental and emotional relief valve.”

CASEY WHITT

A

If I Had to Guess , 2022

Sorceress,

Acrylic and spray paint on stretched canvas

TREATMENT COSTS

The MendCenter primarily relies on payments from patients' families to operate. We also receive invaluable support from individual donors who share our vision. The monthly cost to reside at The MendCenter is $19,500. Comparatively, this is only a fraction of the fees charged by most institutions in which the average stay is only four to six weeks. The MendCenter provides six months or more of treatment, ensuring a more successful reintegration into society. While our extended care is critical for improved wellbeing and longlasting change, it also comes with a high cost. Even among families with significant means, financing treatment can become exceptionally challenging; thus, reaffirming our need to seek additional funding.