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INDIAN RIVER COUNTY NONPROFIT / QUASI AGENCY REQUEST FOR FUNDING The pandemic has increased the community's need for mental health care access. We have seen a significant rise in those seeking first-time mental health services due to the social/economic effects of COVID19. MHA's surveys of individuals who participated in a walk-in mental health screening from April of 2019 to September of 2020 showed 47% had their mental health negatively impacted by COVID19. The economic impact and social isolation of COVID has even more of a negative impact on the emotional and behavioral health of low-income and impoverished residents. Those living in or near poverty are overrepresented in groups struggling with mental illness and underrepresented in mental health treatment. IRC's ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households and those living in poverty are 51 % of our population who struggle to pay for basic needs and lack resources for needed mental healthcare. Indian River County's latest community health needs assessment in 2019, conducted pre -pandemic, noted depression rates as highest for IRC's poorest residents or at 20.5% for those earning less than $25,000 a year. Only 30% of IRC respondents reported having easy access to mental health services and only 33% rated their affordable healthcare as "good" or "great." Many do, not seek or have necessary mental health treatment due to access barriers such as financial limitations. As the WICC program treats residents of all ages, it also provided crucial services for community youth. IRC School District reports —6 student mental health referrals daily. Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for teens 12-17. State of Mental Health in America 2020 report lists 13.9% of Florida youth as having at least one major depressive episode and 10%, severe depression. It noted 57.2% of Florida depressed youth did not receive any treatment. Unmet mental health needs interfere with youth establishing healthy relationships, succeeding in school, and being self-sufficient in work. Our program's crisis intervention and effective treatment services give IRC youth a safe net to have healthy, productive lives and decrease high personal and community costs from lack of care The Organization's Board of Directors has approved this application on (date): 04/20/2021 Name of President/Chair of the Board: Ross Cotherman Name of Exec. Director/CEO: Philip Cromer 116