GROUNDED
NJAS' very own therapy grant program working to ease the financial burden of accessing therapy for communities of color.
APPLICATIONS OPEN MAY 31ST!
Mental health care remains out of reach for far too many people of color in the U.S. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), only 33% of Black adults, 35% of Hispanic/Latinx adults, and 25% of Asian American adults with mental illness receive treatment, compared to 52% of white adults. Native and Indigenous communities experience disproportionately high rates of serious psychological distress, while facing some of the lowest access to quality mental health care nationwide.
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The financial burden makes this crisis worse. With the average therapy session ranging from $100 to $250 without insurance, consistent mental health support becomes a luxury—especially for those navigating limited insurance coverage, unstable income, or high out-of-pocket costs.
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And access isn’t just about cost—it’s also about connection. As of 2022, over 80% of U.S. psychologists identified as white, leaving communities of color significantly underrepresented in the field. This means that even when someone does seek care, they may struggle to find a therapist who understands their lived experiences, cultural background, or the impact of systemic racism on mental health.​
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Communities of color deserve more. They deserve therapists who see them, hear them, and relate to them. They deserve care that is both affordable and culturally competent. Mental health support isn’t a luxury—it’s a lifeline. We must invest in breaking down these barriers and building systems that actually reflect the communities they serve.
