OAKTON, Va. (August 18, 2021)—PRS, a behavioral health nonprofit serving Northern Virginia, has forged a partnership with Access Hope aimed at increasing access to mental health services, including to those who are uninsured or otherwise would not qualify for needed services. As part of the long-term partnership, Access Hope has awarded a $210,000 grant to help PRS respond to the rise in mental health issues, with additional emphasis on diverse communities.

“Providing access to outstanding mental health services—for all income levels and in diverse communities—is important to help people recover and strengthen our region,” explained Joseph Getch, CEO, PRS.  “The pandemic has intensified need and challenged nonprofits to keep pace with demand for behavioral health needs. By collaborating with Access Hope, we can expand capacity to reach more people with our proven programs so they can reclaim their lives.”

“Mental illness is often accompanied by a lack of hope which is why we are partnering with PRS and their excellent team. Our grant to PRS will work to reduce lingering stigma, financial concerns, and cultural biases that prevent people from seeking treatment for mental health issues. Together with PRS, we know that more people in our region will gain access to treatments that enhance and save lives,” said Len Wolf, founder and president, Access Hope.

The grant from Access Hope, a nonprofit working to eliminate barriers to mental health services in the DC metro region for underserved populations by building local partnerships, will enable PRS to add staff capacity and ensure more access to these existing, effective PRS programs:

• Mental Health Skills-Building Service, which provides services to individuals benefiting from person-centered skills-teaching;
• Outpatient Therapy Services, which provides individualized therapy to help clients understand and manage mental health conditions and focus on changes to improve overall functioning at home, on the job and to address relationship issues.

Also, as part of this grant, PRS will work to broadly market the availability of free and accessible services, to include direct marketing to diverse populations as well as reach those who do not qualify for Medicaid and have no other means to pay for services.

The pandemic has exacerbated need and stretched resources, especially in diverse communities which have contracted the disease at much higher rates. In fact, 36% of callers to PRS’ CrisisLink Program—Virginia’s crisis intervention and suicide prevention hotline, text and chat service—identified COVID-19 as the primary stressor in their lives with a third of those experiencing acute suicide thoughts. In addition, PRS has had increased referrals and more requests to serve clients who do not have Medicaid and do not qualify for other payer sources. PRS case managers report seeing younger children with increasingly aggressive behaviors and teens with increased hospitalizations, suicide ideation, risky behaviors and drug use. COVID-related anxiety, depression, loneliness and decreased stress tolerance requires expansion meet unmet and growing needs.

About PRS, Inc.

PRS is a leading local nonprofit helping those living with serious mental health issues and anyone who faces life crises achieve independence and self-sufficiency. PRS provides people they serve with skill training and support to help them recover and rebuild their lives through programs such as: Recovery Academy Day Programs and Community Readiness Support Program, Community Support Services, Employment Services, Peer Support Services, Community Housing, Coordinated Specialty Care and CrisisLink—a 24/7 phone, text and chat hotline. www.prsinc.org. For 24/7 support from CrisisLink, call 1-800-273-TALK.  For 24/7 chat support, visit https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/.