W

ith one in five 
adults experiencing 
mental illness in 
2020, a crisis exacerbated by 
the stressors of the COVID-
19 pandemic, understanding 
how — and where — to access 
mental health care has become 
more important than ever. Yet 
those resources aren’t always 
easy to find.
That’s why Mind Matters, a 
free virtual program on March 
3 for Metro Detroiters, wants 
to help people learn how to 
navigate Michigan’s mental 
health care system.
As a joint partnership 
between JVS+Kadima 
and Michigan Medicine 
Department of Psychiatry, 
Mind Matters will tackle five 
subjects crucial to mental health 
care access: being diagnosed, 
treatment models, financial 
resources, how to advocate for 
yourself or a loved one and 
resources for caregivers.
The free event will include 
panel discussions with mental 
health experts and personal 
stories.
“
As we have seen an increase 

in mental health challenges, we 
hope to provide information 
and support to those wondering 
how to access services or what is 
next,
” says Aubrey Macfarlane, 
COO of JVS+Kadima.
“The panelists in this 
program will bring a wide 
variety of expertise, 
experience and 
information to 
those interested 
in learning more 
about the mental 
health system and 
mental health 
diagnosis.
”

GETTING MENTAL HEALTH 
RESOURCES “IN YOUR 
FACE”
Dr. Roberto Rinaldi, vice 
president of clinical integration 
at JVS+Kadima, says mental 
health resources have always 
been there — 
however, they’re 
not always “right in 
front of you,
” so to 
speak.
“There are so 
many layers,
” he 
says of Michigan’s 

mental health care system. 
“There’s a system in place and 
that system is not always easy, 
so it’s not just knowing how to 
start getting into the system, but 
once you’re in it, how do you 
navigate it?”
It’s a concern many 
Michiganders face.
“It’s there,
” Rinaldi says of 
resources like hotlines and 
mental health authorities. 
“However, it’s just not in your 
face.
”
Through the 90-minute 
program, participants will learn 
how to take that first step and 
how to navigate the process that 
follows, from a financial aspect 
to types of treatment available. 
This can help people learn not 
only how to find help, but also 
how to figure out the right 
therapeutic fit.
“Mind Matters makes it 
easier to understand,
” Rinaldi 
says of the mental health care 
system. “It gives it a different 
perspective. It allows individuals 
to understand what they need 
to do and how they need to do 
it in order to receive what they 
need and what they deserve.
”

FINANCIAL AND 
CAREGIVER RESOURCES 
ARE A PRIORITY
Rinaldi will join the panel 
discussion to focus on resources 
for caregivers, one of the most 
under looked elements of 
mental health care, he explains.
“We often forget that while 
the individuals diagnosed need 
services, so do their caregivers,
” 
he said.
This includes caregivers 
making their own mental 
health a priority and how to 
find resources like support 
groups. Participants will also 
learn about strategies like 
relaxation techniques and 
therapy specifically designed for 
caregivers to help them navigate 
their own wellness and care.
Rinaldi says financial 
resources are another key area 
that remains difficult for people 
to navigate.
“I think a lot of people hold 
back,
” he says of seeking out 
mental health care. “It’s tough, 
navigating Medicaid, Medicare 
and [other financial resources] 
the county can provide.
”
The lack of “in your face” 

Aubrey 
Macfarlane

Dr. Roberto 
Rinaldi

ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

34 | FEBRUARY 24 • 2022 

HEALTH

Accessing Mental 
Health Care

Learn how to navigate Michigan’s mental health 
care system through free Mind Matters webinar.