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Mental health needs in Alaska are surging and most people cannot afford to pay for professionals that can help them navigate their, or their family/children's distress. There are also instances where the insurance companies have very high deductibles and paying out of pocket is burdensome. These people will forgo asking for help but will turn to prescription drugs (insurance covers), alcohol, or marijuana (cheaper alternative) to help cope.
Hope for Alaska is a local non-profit with a mission to bridge the gap by providing financial relief to those in need regardless of race, age, religion, or gender. Donors for the project are local residents within the community and churches. Hope for Alaska pays for 10 visits to a licensed therapist, which is enough to help stabilize the individual's symptoms and return them back to their basic functioning. To date, Hope for Alaska has helped approximately 275 Alaskans totalling 2,500 ($500,000) appointments for people struggling with addiction, depression, trauma, and family related issues.
AIRC would like to sponsor 10 sessions ($200 per session) of therapeutic care. Offering support to an individual or a family can have a profound impact on those lives, which may also have a positive ripple effect in the community.
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