Supporting Youth Behavioral Health a Top Priority for Molina Healthcare of Nevada
Rhonda Frazier,Rhonda.Frazier@MolinaHealthcare.com, 562-980-3849
Molina donates $50,000 to NAMI Western Nevada at its gala in Carson City
CARSON CITY, Nevada, MAY 16, 2024 – Molina Healthcare of Nevada (“Molina”) recently donated $50,000 to NAMI Western Nevada at NAMI’s 7th Annual Unmasked Gala in Carson City in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. The funds will be used to expand NAMI’s Nevada Teen Peer Support Text Line, a resource for individuals 24 years of age and younger who need non-crisis mental health supports.
“Molina Healthcare of Nevada’s grant will allow us to reach youth that may have fallen through the cracks by extending support when it is most needed such as before school, during breaks and at night,” said Laura Yanez, executive director, NAMI Western Nevada. “Many youth do not know where they would go for support if they did not have the Nevada Teen Peer Support Text Line.”
Between 2017 and 2021, a state report noted an increase in the percentage of Nevada high school and middle school students that reported feeling sad or hopeless. Among surveyed high school students, there was also an increase of those who reported purposely hurting themselves, or considered suicide, planned suicide, or attempted suicide. In 2021, the rate was significantly greater among females versus male students across all categories.
The Molina grant will support additional hours of the text and chat line from 10 a.m. – midnight to 7 a.m. – midnight, seven days a week. Adolescents and young adults can connect with trained young adult peers with necessary experience to support them through compassion, understanding, and hope among other positive engagements. Mental health issues are not bound by time, and these extended hours are designed to provide immediate assistance when individuals may feel the most vulnerable and alone.
“Anxiety, depression and feelings of inadequacy impact too many young people in our communities,” said Dr. Nima Alinejad, chief medical officer for Molina Healthcare of Nevada. “Molina is committed to Nevada and our goal, through partnerships with organization like NAMI Western Nevada, is to reach and better care for Nevada’s youth during times of mental health afflictions by connecting them to acute and long term supports that promote their well-being and future success in life.”
About Molina Healthcare of Nevada
Molina Healthcare of Nevada, Inc. provides government-funded health care to members in Clark and Washoe counties through Medicaid, Nevada Check Up Program, Medicare and Marketplace. Through its locally operated health plans, Molina Healthcare, Inc., a Fortune 500 company, provides managed health care services under the Medicaid and Medicare programs, and through state insurance marketplaces. For more information, visit MolinaHealthcare.com/NV.
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