Mental Health Alliance

The GSU PRC, in collaboration with the GSU Department of Counseling and Psychological Services and the IRC, implemented a pilot project, the Clarkston Mental Health Alliance (MHA), to meet the overwhelming need for greater access to affordable mental healthcare for RIM populations. This Alliance consisted of 5 Masters-level, post-graduate clinicians who were based at the IRC headquarters. These clinicians were part of a collaborative care team, working alongside caseworkers to screen for, identify and immediately address mental health problems among IRC-affiliated clients.

We assessed the impact of this Alliance on the Clarkston/RIM community by documenting (1) the number of clients served, and (2) clients’ perceived satisfaction with and perceived impact of receiving these services (as measured by a short interview).

This pilot project aimed to address many barriers to accessing mental healthcare for RIM populations. By integrating mental health professionals within the pre-existing IRC infrastructure, we:

• met RIM populations where they are (rather than expecting them to seek out care)
• could identify mental health needs early and often (resulting in better prognoses)
• could do so in a way that de-stigmatized mental health problems (because they were addressed holistically and in the context of other, interrelated needs including finding stable housing, applying for government benefits and learning English)

The success of the pilot project led to an expansion of funding and services (the Georgia RIM Mental Health Alliance), which aims to accomplish the following goals:

1. Train the Georgia healthcare and social service agency workforce in (a) cultural humility and (b) trauma-informed care.
2. Raise awareness about mental health issues, reduce stigma, and promote help-seeking behaviors within the RIM community through educational community-based workshops, support groups, and other outreach activities.
3. Increase the accessibility, affordability and availability of culturally- and linguistically responsive mental healthcare by:
   1. establishing a system for mental health screening and assessment to identify individuals who may require further intervention or referral to specialized services
   2. coordinating with local mental health agencies and providers to offer services in community settings
   3. establishing a system for care coordination and referrals to ensure continuity of care for individuals with complex mental health needs
4. Evaluate the effectiveness and impact of mental healthcare-related training, educational, and service activities.
5. Disseminate evaluation data and lessons learned to key stakeholders.