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Scholarship offers financial support for mental health services

Gazette - 12/28/2021

Dec. 28—CEDAR RAPIDS — A Cedar Rapids mental health provider has launched a scholarship in honor of first responders to help community members access mental health care.

The Badge 713 Mental Health Scholarship Fund was established in partnership with Covenant Family Solutions and the Marion-based retailer Honor and Respect to honor public servants by providing funds to pay for mental health services that community members could not otherwise afford.

Though the scholarship was established in the name of a local first responder and veteran, officials say funds are available to anyone who needs help accessing services at Covenant Family Solutions, the Cedar Rapids provider of mental health services.

"The purpose of people who serve in public services is to help and benefit the community. This scholarship is an extension of that effort," said Jacob Christenson, chief executive officer of Covenant Family Solutions. "It's not just to help those who are first responders, it's to help those who they help."

The fund has raised $1,800 so far, which includes an initial donation from the Badge 713 Mental Health Scholarship Fund and from Honor and Respect, officials say. The retailer also will be donating funds through a portion of proceeds from its shop.

Funds can be used to cover the cost of a dose of therapy, which ranges between eight to 12 sessions. Christenson said it can help those who have insurance, but may not be able to afford the cost of weekly copays.

The scholarship comes as the need for mental health services has exploded across Iowa and the rest of the United States in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Christenson said providers have seen elevated levels of anxiety and depression among area residents.

"One of the number one predictors of a mental health concern is trauma, and as a society, we've experienced a nationwide traumatic event," Christenson said. "There's not anybody that's really escaped it."

The scholarship was founded by Amanda Langfitt and her family in honor of her late husband, who they say dedicated his life to serving the community as a member of the military and later as a police officer with the Cedar Rapids Police Department.

"My husband devoted his life to serving and saving the lives of others," Langfitt said in a statement. "It fills me with hope and pride to know that his legacy will live on continuing to serve the community through this scholarship helping others in helping to prevent the very same tragedy that took his life."

Langfitt and her family created the scholarship in order to help those who want to access mental health services, but aren't able to because of cost, she said.

"No one should have to choose between putting food on the table or getting support," Langfitt said. "We hope this scholarship changes that reality for people in the community."

The needs of the community will ultimately determine how many people will benefit from this scholarship, Christenson said.

Officials are accepting donations for the Badge 713 Mental Health Scholarship. Donations can be made directly via Venmo to @badge713, or submitted at Honor-Respect.com.

To access the fund, individuals must apply on Covenant Family Solutions' website at covenantfamilysolutions.com/badge713. They also can contact Covenant Family Solutions for more information at (319) 200-5166.

Comments: (319) 398-8469; michaela.ramm@thegazette.com

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