Transforming Mental Health
Nearly 1 in 5 Americans have a mental health condition, yet access to high-quality, affordable care is critically scarce.
Love Thy Neighbor Institute
Transforming Mental Health
Issues With Access, Treatment and Housing
Access to care is improving, however existing medical and insurance loopholes make it difficult for consumers to get access to high quality, affordable mental health care and effective treatment options. Because mental health providers are predominately out of network, obtaining quality healthcare and treatment is expensive. Even consumers who are eligible for Medicare only have access to about 23% of psychiatrists in the U.S. Additionally, extensive research illustrates the bi-directional relationship between mental health and housing insecurity. Due to scarcely low vacancies of safe, affordable housing, mental health consumers with the lowest incomes are forced to live in substandard housing conditions and live the poorest lifestyles, which can lead to incarceration and recidivism. Americans deserve access to a proper diagnosis, effective treatment options that improve their quality of life, and guaranteed access to high-quality housing.
Love Thy Neighbor Institute
What We Do to Transform Mental Health
Access to Safe, Affordable Housing
LTNI believes that safe, affordable housing is an inalienable right, and we work tirelessly to guarantee housing for mental health consumers. We also work to prohibit property owners from rejecting rental applications based on the applicant’s source of income, as well as policies that require landlords to ensure housing is safe and comfortable to accommodate living conditions that are appropriate for mental health consumers.
Access to Mental Health Services
LTNI works to ensure that mental health consumers have access to the care that they desperately need. We work with legislators to increase reimbursement rates and other incentives for psychiatrists and other mental health providers. We also work to expand reimbursement models to increase the number of providers, to ensure access is made available to all mental health consumers.
Law Enforcement Response Training
LTNI works tirelessly to eliminate police violence as well as to mandate training and police accountability for all first responders. LTNI conducts research and educational programs that build bridges between law enforcement and the mental health community. America is in the midst of a serious mental health crisis, and we need first responders to be thoroughly trained and prepared to de-escalate without force.
Understanding the Issues
Approximately 112 million Americans live in areas where mental health services and providers are scarce. Because only 56% of psychiatrists accept commercial insurance compared to 90% of other, non-mental health physicians, statistically, less than half of Americans who have a mental disorder receive proper treatment. According to National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) less than 10% of patients who have a mental health diagnosis actually receive effective treatment. Having sufficient insurance coverage to pay for high quality care and having access to mental health services and providers are critical to mental health consumers receivinf a proper diagnosis and effective treatment. In addition to addressing services and treatment, access to safe, affordable housing is essential to ensuring mental health consumers remain on the path to recovery. Together we can heal the state of mental health in America. Love Thy Neighbor Institute aspires to eliminate the inequality in life expectancy and drastically improve the quality of life for our neighbors living with serious mental illness. Join us today!