Do you work with individuals with mental health issues or substance use disorders? If so, referring them to the right treatment can be challenging. At RevCore, we recognize that not everyone who needs these services is willing or able to make external appointments. That’s why we’re on a mission to bring those services to them.
In this article, Derwin Manigault, RevCore’s Director of Community Relations, introduces RevCore’s unique community outreach model and innovative service delivery. With this model, we aim to bring support and healing directly to individuals in their communities.
The challenge of mental health access
Every year, more than 1 in 5 New Yorkers has symptoms of a mental disorder. Moreover, in any year, 1 in 10 adults and children experience mental health challenges serious enough to affect their ability to function in work, family, and school life. (New York State Department of Health)
And yet, nearly 40% of adult New Yorkers with serious mental illness did not receive mental health treatment in the past year (NYC Department of Health).
Despite the growing awareness of mental health issues and substance use disorders, factors like stigma, logistical challenges, and a lack of awareness about available treatment services prevent many people from seeking the help they desperately need.
This gap between the need for treatment and receiving care is particularly stark among the city’s most vulnerable populations, who face additional barriers such as socioeconomic constraints and cultural stigmas.
At RevCore, we’re committed to providing high-quality care not only to those who seek us out but also to those who find it difficult to reach out for the help they need.
RevCore’s innovative outreach model
Through our innovative outreach model, RevCore is working to dismantle the barriers that often prevent people from seeking treatment.
At the heart of our approach is meeting people where they are. What if, instead of making an appointment, a person could simply walk downstairs and get the service where they already are? What if we could allow people to receive the help they need in a familiar and comfortable setting?
RevCore currently provides support on-site to a wide range of locations, including:
- Hospitals
- Primary Care Offices
- Shelters
- Program facilities
- Universities and schools
- Faith-based organizations
Collaborating with these local organizations not only allows RevCore to tap into people’s existing networks of trust and support. It also helps us gain a deeper understanding of the community’s needs, which helps us design more targeted interventions.
By removing as many obstacles as possible to receiving care, we can allow people to access help on their terms. This not only makes care more accessible but also integrates it into daily life, making help-seeking a normal and easily achievable step.
The impact of community-based care
The sense of comfort and trust that comes from receiving care in a familiar environment cannot be overstated. For many people, the thought of opening up and getting help feels risky, scary, and vulnerable.
At RevCore facilities, we always do our best to create a space where individuals feel safe and supported. But we can also leverage the supportive environments they have already. When we bring those services to places they already like and feel safe in, it’s a lot easier for them to open up.
Research from The American Psychological Association found that a community-based, integrative care model can improve the quality of care. Our own experience at RevCore confirms that bringing treatment to a supportive environment:
- strengthens the therapeutic relationship between caregivers and clients.
- enables more accurate assessments and more personalized treatment plans.
- improves engagement rates and treatment outcomes
Overall, community-based care makes the path to recovery smoother and more sustainable.
From assessment to referrals, all under one roof
Our comprehensive approach doesn’t just stop at making services accessible. We know that it can be challenging to know where to refer someone — do they need mental health treatment? Substance use disorder treatment? Behavioral treatment? Or something else? It’s even harder for individuals themselves to know where to turn once they recognize the need for help.
That’s why when a referral comes to us, we do a thorough assessment of their needs. Our wide-ranging services are designed to address many aspects of mental health and substance abuse under one roof. Our services cover:
- Mental health counseling
- Substance use disorder treatment
- Behavioral therapy
- And more…
And in cases where we’re not the best fit, we will refer them to an appropriate community partner who can provide the necessary support.
Help bring healing to NYC
At RevCore, we believe that everyone deserves access to quality mental health and substance use services. If you encounter individuals in need of on-site mental or behavioral health services, reach out. Together, we can ensure that everyone who needs help can get it, in the most effective and compassionate way possible.
To make a referral or request to bring RevCore’s services to your location, reach out to Derwin at dmanigault@revcorerecovery.com.