Asian Mental Health Collective, a national 501(c)3, recognizes that the barriers to accessing mental health treatment and support are numerous, particularly for AAPI communities. Asian Americans are the racial group least likely to seek treatment or services for mental health, while at the same time Asian Americans age 15-24 are the only racial group with suicide as the leading cause of death. According to the APA in 2022, 60% of therapists in the US indicated they no longer have openings to take new patients. Additionally, cost is a major barrier to accessing mental health treatment – even with health insurance, many report difficulty in finding a therapist that accepts a particular insurance. To address these numerous barriers and concerns, AMHC runs the Lotus Therapy Fund.

Program Description

Lotus Therapy Fund provides 8 sessions of free therapy to individuals in need, matching them with an Asian therapist with availability to see new patients. Currently, Lotus Therapy Fund has providers licensed to practice in 42 states, with the ability to offer both in person and telehealth options. Therapists in our network are paid directly by AMHC, eliminating the administrative burden of coordinating with insurance companies. AMHC supports therapists by providing highly popular free trainings with continuing education credits providers need in order to maintain their licenses. This ensures that our community receives excellent therapy and keeps providers incentivized to participate. To date, LTF has funded over 1600 therapy sessions for 210 individuals.

Cost and Financial Support

The cost for one individual to receive 8 sessions of therapy is $1,200, and AMHC LTF Providers are paid $150 per session. The Lotus Therapy Fund not only ensures that AAPI individuals in need receive quality mental health treatment, but it also guarantees Asian providers in our community are compensated for their invaluable work. To help grow the Lotus Therapy Fund, please donate through our Donate To AMHC webpage.

Eligibility and Application Process

We know the need for therapy within our communities is great. However, because we receive a high volume of applicants, we unfortunately cannot accept everyone who applies. In reviewing your applications, we will take into account your current access to mental healthcare, including financial need, access to health insurance, severity of symptoms, availability of LTF clinicians in your U.S. state, and your ability to start therapy right away. If you are not accepted in this round, we welcome you to apply to future therapy fund opportunities.