The Arc and United Health Foundation Launch $2.5M Partnership to Tackle Mental Health Crisis for People with Disabilities
May 06 2024 - 9:00AM
Business Wire
The partnership will provide $100,000 to 10
communities to expand mental health support for people with
intellectual and developmental disabilities
The United Health Foundation, the philanthropic foundation of
UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), has awarded The Arc of the United
States a three-year, $2.5 million grant to improve mental health
care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
(IDD). Up to 40% of people with IDD have co-occurring mental health
conditions, and this critical funding will help address their unmet
mental health needs.
Currently, only 1 in 10 children and adolescents with IDD and
mental health disorders receive specialized services. Additionally,
people with disabilities report 3 times more suicidal ideation
compared to those without disabilities, and adults with
disabilities are 3.5 times more likely to experience frequent
mental distress. These statistics highlight the need for training
and awareness to ensure providers and caregivers are equipped to
support the mental health needs of people with disabilities.
“People with intellectual and developmental disabilities face
barriers from the moment they are born, which can have a direct
impact on their mental health,” said Katy Neas, CEO of The Arc of
the United States. “But too often, their mental health needs are
going unmet due to stigma, lack of training, and biases. This
generous investment by the United Health Foundation gives us a path
to tackle this mental health crisis head-on by providing critical
training to all who interact with our community — medical
professionals, caregivers, first responders, educators, families,
and more. Let’s work together to improve coordination of care,
raise awareness, and ensure everyone’s mental health needs are
supported.”
The partnership will deploy $100,000 in direct grants to 10
chapters of The Arc nationwide to build comprehensive local
solutions tailored to people with IDD. This includes expanding
access to quality mental health care services, improving
coordination between disability and health systems, training over
2,000 providers and caregivers to recognize mental health needs in
people with IDD, and launching public awareness campaigns to
counteract stigma and misconceptions.
The 10 chapters receiving grants are: The Arc of Arizona, The
Arc of Loudoun (VA), The Arc of Macomb County (MI), The Arc of
Mississippi, The Arc of Oklahoma, The Arc of Oregon, The Arc Prince
George’s County (MD), The Arc Rhode Island, St. Louis Arc (MO) and
Sertoma Star Services (IL).
“When we root ourselves in empathy and build alongside those
with lived experiences, pretty powerful things begin to take
shape,” said Dan Schumacher, executive vice president, UnitedHealth
Group, who also serves on the Board of Directors of the United
Health Foundation and as the executive sponsor of UnitedHealth
Group’s disability inclusion employee resource group. “The United
Health Foundation is committed to building strong partnerships and
providing resources to address the needs of our communities.
Together with The Arc, we’re excited to see the impact this work
has on providers, caregivers and the people they serve.”
A key component of the grant is partnering with the National
Council for Mental Wellbeing to adapt its evidence-based Mental
Health First Aid program with information on IDD. The training
teaches how to identify and respond to signs of mental illness and
substance disorders. As the Council notes, "Most of us would know
how to help someone having a heart attack, but too few know how to
respond if someone was having a panic attack or showing signs of
substance abuse. Mental Health First Aid takes the fear out of
starting these conversations."
Over three years, the United Health Foundation grant will help
train caregivers, health care professionals, first responders,
educators and family members to recognize the mental health needs
of people with IDD and decrease the number of mental health crisis
incidents experienced by this population. The partnership will also
provide mental health resources directly to people with IDD through
the participating chapters to help them recognize and communicate
their own needs. This is vital for individuals, and also families
as research shows the mental well-being of parents of children with
IDD is strongly influenced by the severity of their child's
co-occurring mental health conditions.
About The Arc of the United States: The Arc advocates for
and serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
(IDD), including Down syndrome, autism, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum
Disorders, cerebral palsy, and other diagnoses. Founded in 1950 by
parents who believed their children with IDD deserved more, The Arc
is now a network of nearly 600 chapters across the country
promoting and protecting the human rights of people with IDD and
actively supporting their full inclusion and participation in the
community throughout their lifetimes. Through the decades, The Arc
has been at the forefront of advances in disability rights and
supports. There are over 7 million people with IDD in the United
States, which encompasses over 100 different diagnoses. Visit
www.thearc.org or follow us @TheArcUS to learn more.
About the United Health Foundation: Through collaboration
with community partners, grants and outreach efforts, the United
Health Foundation works to improve the health system, build a
diverse and dynamic health workforce and enhance the well-being of
local communities. The United Health Foundation was established by
UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) in 1999 as a not-for-profit, private
foundation dedicated to improving health and health care. To date,
the United Health Foundation has committed nearly $800 million to
programs and communities around the world, including a $100 million
commitment to help diversify the health workforce. To learn more,
visit UnitedHealthFoundation.org.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240506786946/en/
Tony Marusic UnitedHealth Group 312-363-7714
tony_marusic@uhc.com
Jackie Dilworth The Arc of the United States 202-617-3271
dilworth@thearc.org
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