CHARLOTTE, N.C. — HopeWay and Novant Health have announced a partnership to expand psychiatric services to those in the community without insurance with the goal of improving health equity.
HopeWay is an accredited nonprofit mental health residential, day treatment, and outpatient center.
With financial support from Novant Health Foundation, HopeWay is now offering mental health services at the Novant Health Michael Jordan Family Clinic and the Hope Community Clinic of East Charlotte, with plans to serve additional clinics in the future.
According to a news release, the partnership with HopeWay is part of a larger effort by Novant Health, with additional funding from The Duke Endowment, to increase access to in-person and virtual mental health care in underserved communities.
“This is the beginning of a wonderful partnership, which was born out of the increasing need for accessible mental health services in our community and the commitment of two organizations dedicated to serve more people across our city,” Dr. Kevin Marra, psychiatrist and director of medical services at HopeWay, said. “Together, we are providing a fully integrated behavioral health care model that enables us to serve a diverse and underserved population, breakdown the stigma of mental health, and increase access to psychiatric treatment.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the pandemic, among other factors, has contributed to the rise in mental health challenges.
The expanded scope of mental health services at both clinics will feature an integrated model of care including a combination of in-person and virtual services. Dr. Marra said, "It came about because there are so many people in the Charlotte region that don't have insurance and can't really access mental health care."
“At Novant Health, we look at the whole person and design care around factors that both, directly and indirectly, influence outcomes,” Dr. Jonathan Wilson, lead clinician for Novant Health's access and equity clinics, including the Novant Health Michael Jordan Family Medical Clinic, said. “For years, we have been investing in community clinics, mobile health units and innovative wellness initiatives with the help of our community partners to ensure vital access to primary and preventive care services where and when our communities need us. By partnering with HopeWay, we’re able to pursue the possibility of providing integrated care for patients from marginalized communities who need a holistic approach for their mental, physical, emotional and spiritual needs.”
Wilson also said it should alleviate some unnecessary trips to the emergency room for behavioral treatment.
"It's not where we should be getting psychiatric or behavioral health care, "Wilson said.
After patients in the Novant Health system go through the referral process, they can set up an appointment. Medical professionals are equipped to dive into complex mental health conditions like PTSD and other forms of trauma.
WCNC Charlotte is part of seven major media companies and other local institutions producing I Can’t Afford to Live Here, a collaborative reporting project focused on solutions to the affordable housing crisis in Charlotte. It is a project of the Charlotte Journalism Collaborative, which is supported by the Local Media Project, an initiative launched by the Solutions Journalism Network with support from the Knight Foundation to strengthen and reinvigorate local media ecosystems. See all of our reporting at charlottejournalism.org.