Leticia De Lara and Conrado E. Bárzaga
The desert area of Riverside County is experiencing a behavioral and psychological well being disaster. Examine that. It’s been experiencing a disaster. For too lengthy.
Within the Coachella Valley, there are roughly 19.4 suicides per 100,000 residents, a fee that exceeds that of the remainder of the county. A fee that exceeds that of the state of California. A fee that exceeds that of the U.S.
Six out of 10 kids within the valley who’re identified with a psychological well being dysfunction don’t obtain therapy.
A have a look at the general well being challenges that exist in our desert communities gives perception into obstacles to prioritizing behavioral and psychological healthcare:
- BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and other people of colour) residents face obstacles to discovering culturally competent well being suppliers;
- 9.3% of residents have issue discovering well being care suppliers they’re comfy with;
- 5% of neighborhood residents have language obstacles; and
- Roughly 15% of adults are uninsured.
Lack of providers, lack of communication, lack of insurance coverage. The issues are legion.
There’s an amazing want for added behavioral/psychological well being providers within the desert, which may ease the ache. The query: Is there any assistance on the horizon?
The reply is sure.
The Regional Entry Venture (RAP) Basis and the Desert Healthcare District (DCHD) and Basis are usually not solely conscious of the issue, however we even have a plan. Our organizations are collaborating on a venture to achieve out to behavioral/psychological well being suppliers with money incentives to bridge the gaps.
Since RAP and DHCD can’t probably reply to the entire healthcare wants of the japanese two-thirds of Riverside County, we’ve labored collectively to prioritize essentially the most crucial wants. We realized so much by in search of enter from service suppliers to achieve a greater understanding of wants and traits. In consequence, we’re committing $800,000 in money grants and $72,450 for technical help by a aggressive request for proposal alternative.
This collaborative effort guarantees to supply further sources to organizations dedicated to enhancing the standard of behavioral/psychological well being providers by enhancing the “cultural competency” of suppliers. This additionally means eliminating obstacles to behavioral/psychological well being providers.
By combining our efforts, we will make the method extra environment friendly for these organizations in want of extra sources. Enhancing entry to behavioral and psychological healthcare is an integral a part of what the Desert Healthcare District does, and it’s prioritized in its new strategic plan. The RAP Basis Board has additionally prioritized behavioral/psychological well being providers.
Organizations considering making use of for funds are required to attend a bidders assembly scheduled for Monday, Feb. 13.
For extra info, go to http://www.rapfoundation.org.
With the assistance of organizations which can be educated of the problems and wish monetary help to convey the best instruments to this huge job, we’re assured we will make a considerable distinction.
Leticia De Lara, MPA, leads the Regional Entry Venture Basis as CEO and serves as a board member with Innercare and the Desert Healthcare District and Basis. Conrado E. Bárzaga, MD, is CEO of the Desert Healthcare District and Basis. Their emails are[email protected] and[email protected]
