Encouraging Communities, Empowering Individuals, Ending Stigma

BIPOC- and Women-Owned Businesses

County of Los Angeles

Research (initial work to identify and understand the problem)

Despite the introduction of mental health benefits to Medi-cal in 2017, people have still not been receiving mental health services despite an estimated 17.9% of Californians (adults) had been diagnosed with a mental illness at the time & since 1999, depression rates in Los Angeles County have increased by 50%. According to the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network, “Black Medi-Cal enrollees use managed care plan mental health services at a much lower rate than White enrollees. Latinx & Asian/Pacific Islander Medi-Cal enrollees access mental health services at the lowest rates of all racial & ethnic groups in both managed care plans and county specialty mental health plans. Asian/Pacific Islander, & Latinx enrollees are less likely than enrollees from other racial and ethnic groups to receive five or more mental health services from managed care plans or county specialty mental health plans.” The biggest barriers to receiving help are time, cost, & limited access to resources.

Giveaways By offering chances to put mental health resources directly in the hands of consumers through quarterly giveaways, YNF seeks to empower individuals who do not have the ability or financial resources to obtain self-help publications or helpful tools that assist them with working towards an improved mental health state & overall quality of life. Music Therapy Workshops Two free music therapy workshops for 20-30 Los Angeles County residents. In a safe, group therapy setting, a certified music therapist will lead participants in a group therapy session accompanied by the opportunity to express thoughts, feelings, & emotions through art, poetry, or songwriting. Additionally, two mental health professionals/influencers (TBD) will serve as guest speakers who encourage & empower those who attend. Therapy Vouchers Providing 100% of the cost of 15-20 therapy/counseling sessions for 3 eligible applicants per quarter. In order to ensure funds provided are not misused or mishandled, YNF will have voucher winners/clinicians send the session invoice with session info & notes removed or redacted (HIPAA) to YNF for verification and payment. Additionally, we will have people include or contact us with the next session date in order to have funds ready for the next appointment. This process will provide payment directly to providers or practices, whether individuals have insurance or not or whether providers accept insurance or not, removing network limitations for recipients.

In my opinion, difference and change start at the individual level. People who are healed or are working towards healing become safer for themselves and others and reflect the best part of their communities. For nine out of 12 months of the year, YNF will be actively putting tools in the hands of giveaway winners and assisting mental health professionals in guiding individuals to better health and/or positive behavior change (if not both, where applicable). Additionally, through the music therapy workshop, individuals will learn safe coping skills to be able to practice on their own and share with their sphere of influence. YNF will be an asset and contributor to the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health’s strategic plan for 2020-2030 by being one of the community services that the county needs. More information can be found at: https://dmh.lacounty.gov/about/lacdmh-strategic-plan-2020-2030/

As You’re Not Finished is in its early stages, I expect that success will be measured and defined by none other than those directly impacted by the project. You may have noticed by looking at the website and social media profiles that the tagline for YNF is “Using Stories of Survival to Save Lives.” That is because YNF is always open to giving people the opportunity to share their stories and testimonies (both openly and anonymously) of overcoming or living through mental health diagnoses and moments of crisis and distress. Additionally, feedback received from those directly impacted by this project will allow You’re Not Finished to serve individuals to the highest capacity possible. When individuals express that the therapy or counseling received has led to positive mindset or behavior change and potentially leads to a continued effort to seek personal counseling after the financial provision period expires, that will be considered a success for You’re Not Finished.