Culturally Competent Behavioral Health Programming in Queens Thanks to $200k Federal Grant Supported by Senator Chuck Schumer

Contact:            

EmblemHealth Public Relations Office | Email: press@emblemhealth.com

Olivia Frasca | Email: ofrasca@emblemhealth.com

QUEENS, NY – With the generous support of a $200,000 grant awarded by U.S. Senator Charles “Chuck” Schumer, EmblemHealth, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit health insurers, launched the Mind and Body Well-Being Program to facilitate mental health and wellness services, programming, and resources with a focus on the Asian American community at EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care located in Flushing, Queens.  

Understanding the diverse needs of New Yorkers coupled with a growing demand for comprehensive behavioral healthcare, Neighborhood Care staff members of the Mind and Body Well Being Program offer free classes and one-on-one confidential conversations. In addition, a network of community resources is available to help people manage daily stressors and help support the mind, body, and soul of Flushing community members. The Mind and Body Well-Being Program is available to all residents regardless of health insurance status. 

The Program officially went into effect last September and grant funding was received through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, via Congressional Directive Spending allocated by Senator Schumer.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support of Senator Schumer, who joins our collective efforts to bring enhanced behavioral healthcare services to individuals and families in Queens,” said Beth Leonard, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at the EmblemHealth family of companies. “From exercise classes to confidential conversations, members can find the resources they’re looking for along with a helping hand when they walk through our doors.”

“At Neighborhood Care, we know that healthcare goes beyond physical care,” said Nazneen Rahman, Assistant Vice President of EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care. “Our Mind and Body Well-Being Program supported by Senator Schumer embodies our commitment to empowering the community to take control of their health and wellness journey regardless of what background they come from.”

“The mental health crisis has touched the lives of nearly every New Yorker, and it has taken a heavy toll on the City’s underserved populations,” said U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer. “I’m proud to deliver these federal funds for EmblemHealth’s mental health and wellness program, and I applaud their dedication to breaking the stigma surrounding behavioral health through the Mind and Body Well-Being Program and beyond at Neighborhood Care.”

In an ongoing effort to help the public learn more about the free and confidential resources offered to the Flushing community, Neighborhood Care’s Flushing location will hold its first Community Resource Day on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Click here to register and learn more.

The Mind and Body Well Being Program is one of EmblemHealth’s latest initiatives to address the diverse care needs of Asian, Black, and Hispanic populations. On February 1, EmblemHealth joined elected officials and community advocates at the New York City Council Committee on Health Oversight Hearing on “NYC’s Efforts to Address the Growing Diabetes Epidemic” to share our longstanding commitment and services to individuals, members, and communities of color who are at heightened risk of diabetes—ranging from our care management and quality improvement programs to our Managing and Preventing Diabetes – An Educational Public Webinar held last November with local leaders and clinicians