Deconstructing the Mental Health System Inc

DMHS has built a trusted and high-impact program with minimal, often inconsistent funding. Our Free Therapy & Wellness Program began as a clinical supervision exchange, where therapy trainees provided free sessions to applicants in return for supervision from DMHS-approved supervisors. This early model ensured BIPoC clients received identity-reflective care while early-career clinicians accessed support–without relying on external funding. 

Today, our team continues to stretch limited resources. Providers still offer pro bono or reduced-fee services when possible, and our waitlist regularly exceeds what we can cover. Youth often need more than the 12 sessions currently funded, especially to build trust and support continuity of care. DMHS leadership and staff manage referrals, invoicing, partnership, and payroll while earning well below livable wages($12,000-$30,000 avg).At the same time, we’re committed to equitable provider pay and maintaining administrative systems that ensure timely, streamlined service for both clients and partners. 

We’ve kept this work growing through collaboration, shared commitment, and deep alignment with our community but additionally funding would allow us to better meet demand and reduce reliance on unpaid labor. 

Priorities include: 

• Expanded coverage for sessions beyond the 12-session cap for the youth we serve. 

• Increasing staff capacity to manage youth programming, partnerships, and operations. 

• Offering stipends to pay to BIPoC youth collaborators who help shape our programs.

• Sustaining vital initiatives like our PLLC Cohort for BIPoC & QTPoC clinicians.