LifePath Systems in McKinney received a grant that will help its Beyond Blue program be extended to people with anxiety and depression. (Courtesy of Adobe Stock)
A program called Beyond Blue was expanded this year to provide mental health resources to anyone aged 18 and over in the ZIP code 75069 in McKinney.
The program began in 2019 with the goal of helping adults 55 and older who live in the McKinney postal code fight chronic illness, depression and isolation, as well as a lack of access to healthcare. essential resources, such as nutritious food. Texas Health Resources has awarded McKinney-based LifePath Systems, a nonprofit organization that provides mental health and addiction services, $ 450,000 for the Beyond Blue program. LifePath Systems has partnered with five other service providers to provide services to local seniors. These service providers include McKinney Roots, Wellness Center, Community Health Clinic, Community LifeLine Center, and Hope Clinic.
“This grant has enabled us to provide consulting and medical and transportation services,” said Melanie Gann, deputy director of supplier services at LifePath Systems. “It really combines our agencies in a way that ensures referral tracking. “
While the first round of funding lasted 18 months, in March of this year LifePath Systems launched the second iteration of Beyond Blue with an additional grant from Texas Health Resources of $ 475,000. This time, however, the program was opened to serve a larger population within the 75069 zip code.
“We found that there were some limitations in the first round,” said Gann. “We would have people who had a friend or someone they knew who could really benefit from all the things, but they were only 52 years old.”
The program aims to reduce depression and anxiety among low-income residents aged 18 and over in the McKinney zip code and increase food security with those same people by December 2022, according to Texas Health Resources.
Gann said the first round of the program had been promising and showed some insight into the need for these types of resources that they brought to the second round.
“Like COVID[-19] affected, we found that depression was on the rise, but the main mental health problem was actually anxiety. … The lessons have turned into a new extension, which now includes anxiety and depression, as well as expanded ages, ”Gann said.
Zip code 75069 was identified for this program through research by Texas Health Resources, which identifies specific zip codes in North Texas that need help the most, Texas Health Resources reported.
Since the start of the second round in March, it has served around 120 people, Gann said, but she knows there are more needs than that in the community.
“There is a greater need for mental health and anxiety resources in areas with the highest levels of poverty,” Gann said. “And then COVID[-19], of course, happened and caused a much greater need and isolation, especially among the elderly. … So we have certainly seen a much higher rate of anxiety and depression since COVID[-19]. But there is already such a need in our world today.
People who want to enroll in the Beyond Blue program must adhere to certain income restrictions, which LifePath controls, Gann said. Individuals should also show signs of anxiety or at least mild depression. Once in the program, these people will have access to mental health case management, job training, counseling, medical care, social groups and transportation assistance, Gann said.
If older people in the community need additional help outside of this scope, they can always contact LifePath Systems, she said.
“If you have a senior with mental health or addiction issues, they need to come see us,” Gann said. “We take Medicare… and absolutely can work with them. “
LifePath Systems
1515 Heritage Drive, McKinney
972-562-01910
www.lifepathsystems.org
24/7 Crisis Line: 1-877-422-5939
Those interested in applying for the Beyond Blue program can send an email [email protected] or dial 469-631-2910.
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