Envida Develops Transportation Program to Provide Mental Health Rides to Individuals Across Colorado

Posted on

Sep 16, 2021

To learn more aboutEnvida, CLICK HERE.
One of the first programs in the US that connects individuals suffering with mental illness crises andaddictions to mental health professionals and facilities through a unique transportation program(Colorado Springs, Colo. September 10, 2020) Transportation obstacles have long been identified asbarriers for individuals to receive mental health support which, according to the Center for DiseaseControl and Prevention study, has seen a marked increase since the beginning of the COVID-19pandemic.
Envida, provides home care and transportation to those in need in El Paso and Teller counties,realized that individuals necessary mental health care needs werent being met, so they implementeda program that specifically addresses transportation to get individuals to and from their mental healthappointments. These appointments help address substance abuse, anxiety, isolation and depression all conditions known to be aggravated by COVID-19 and often leading to crisis.
What makes Envidas program unique is:

One of the first programs in the US that connects individuals suffering with mental illnesscrises and addictions to mental health professionals and facilities through a uniquetransportation program.
Envida utilizes state of the art software that allows individuals to manage their mental healthappointments with confidence and confidentiality, while building their independence.
Envida's drivers are specially trained in mental health response to foster safe and trustingrelationships with riders.

Funded primarily through grants from the Federal Transit Administration, Colorado Community HealthAlliance and the National Center for Mobility Management, Envidas mental health transportationprogram has recently finished its test phase and is currently implementing its pilot programthroughout El Paso and Teller counties in Colorado. The goal is for Envidas program to be a replicablemodel for cities to implement throughout the U.S.Envida first rolled out the test program last year, and we had an amazing response, said Gail Nehls,Envidas Chief Executive Officer. Starting in November we had 87 rides scheduled by February wehad over 400 rides scheduled. Then the pandemic hit, and telehealth appointments becamenecessary. However, telehealth does not address individuals in crisis, so weve pivoted to providingrides for individuals experiencing mental health crises and have seen our ridership increase over 4fold, Nehls continued. At the end of the day, we want to be sure to give our clients greater access
to mental health. We want to save lives.

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