RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia may be leading the way when it comes to offering online mental health services to those who can’t afford them.
After serving as a pilot program for nearly two years, the Virginia Telemental Health Initiative is now active, partnering with clients at 22 different free and charitable clinics across the state with more than 100 volunteer therapists who are working toward licensure.
The initiative is said to be the first of its kind in the United States that not only helps uninsured and underinsured patients get mental health support virtually, but also supports those in the workforce who are trying to complete licensing requirements.
WTVR
Virginia Telemental Health Initiative
Health Brigade’s Dr. Muriel Azria-Evans said many free and charitable clinics may not have mental health professionals on staff, but through the virtual initiative, clients can meet with therapists located anywhere in Virginia . She said the program can also apply to people who have Medicaid but cannot get coverage for counseling services.
“When you think about a clinic that’s just medical and all of a sudden they say, ‘Wow, essentially we have this non-onsite mental health resource,’ that’s huge,” Azria-Evans said.
Azria-Evans said her clinic is seeing an increase in clients requesting mental health services online, particularly those who do not speak English as a first language.
“Of course, we have more and more people struggling with depression and anxiety,” he said. “Especially the people we serve, many of them have transportation barriers.”
WTVR
Dr. Muriel Azria-Evans with Health Brigade
According to a 2023 survey by the American Psychological Association, the average wait time to see a therapist is around three months or more, often due to staffing shortages.
Those behind the single program say that during its pilot phase, the average wait time was around 11 days. Nearly 2,000 telemental health sessions were scheduled.
“I think it will hopefully strengthen our supplier pool to address some of the shortage,” Azria-Evans said.
Azria-Evans said she doesn’t expect the need for free, virtual mental health services to diminish anytime soon.
“I think it’s going to grow,” he said. “The need is there.”
WTVR
Health brigade
The following list includes all participating charity clinics in Virginia:
- Adams Compassionate Healthcare Network (Chantilly)
- Augusta Regional Dental Clinic
- Blue Ridge Free Clinic (Harrisonburg)
- Culmore Clinic (Falls Church)
- Culpepper Free Clinic
- Powhatan Free Clinic
- Goochland cares
- Greene Care Clinic (Stanardsville)
- Guadalupe Free Clinic (Colonial Beach)
- Mother of Mercy Free Medical Clinic (Woodbridge)
- Ohlen R. Wilson (Galax)
- Sinclair Health Clinic (Winchester)
- Bradley Free Clinic (Roanoke)
- Brock Hughes Medical Center (Wytheville)
- Charlottesville Free Clinic
- CrossOver Health Care Ministry (Richmond and Henrico)
- Fauquier Free Clinic
- Frankly County Free Clinic/Bernard Healthcare Center
- Health Brigade (Richmond)
- Ledwith-Lewis Free Clinic (Tappahannock)
- Free Clinic Page (Luray)
- Shenandoah Community Health Clinic (Woodstock)
Interested patients can contact free and charitable clinics directly to determine their eligibility and schedule appointments.
This is a developing story, so anyone with more information can email newstips@wtvr.com to submit a tip.
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