LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Two Louisville practices are taking the financial burden of mental health services out of the equation for those living in West Louisville.
Through grant funding from Humana and Greater Louisville Inc., Martin & Muir Counseling and Tip it Forward are able to provide three free therapy sessions and three free massage therapy sessions to 80 people in the West End.
"The West End is a marginalized group, it doesn't often get opportunities like this," Renesha Martin, co-owner of Martin & Muir Counseling, said. "Opportunity is the main door that is going to be opened. Opportunity for mental health services, opportunity to get the help individuals need to learn about mental health and their traumas."
The program's launch comes as Norton's West Louisville Hospital is also nearing completion, putting a priority on the health of West Louisville.
"There is a heightened demand for mental health," Kammaleathahh Livingstone, executive director of Tip it Forward, said. "There's really not enough mental health counselors to go around. In particular, there's not enough access to mental health in the West End."
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 189,000 adults in Kentucky have a diagnosed serious mental illness. Of the 232,000 Kentuckians who did not receive needed mental health care in 2021, 40.9% did not because of cost.
“Research shows the increase – especially here in Louisville – the effects of grief and loss from homicide, there’s an increase in suicide, increase in domestic violence, increase in drug use,” Lauren Muir, co-owner of Martin & Muir Counseling, said.
Martin & Muir and Tip it Forward are also partnering with the University of Louisville and Spalding University to research and analyze the program to better evaluate the impact.
Enrollment for the free mental health services will be open through December; you have to be 18-35 years old and live in Shawnee, Park Hill, California, Russell, or Chickasaw.
To learn more about the services and how to register, you can contact Martin & Muir Counseling at 502-383-2969 or email intake@martinandmuir.com.
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