THE HEAL
INITIATIVE
SERVING 600 REFUGEES SINCE 2022
The Health Extension for our Afghan ALlies (HEAL) Initiative was founded in November 2022 as a cooperative project to expand mental health access to the recently resettled Afghan community in the U.S.
PARTNERS IN HEALTHY RESETTLEMENT
Healis Health is honored to partner with the The Afghan Medical Professionals Association of America (AMPAA) and to receive funding from the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) for this significant project.
AMPAA is a charitable 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to uniting Afghan healthcare professionals, providing medical education, and assistance for all people within the United States and Afghanistan since its inception in 1992. AMPAA providers are of Afghan origin and serve a humanitarian mission without political agenda. AMPAA acts as Healis’ partner by engaging qualified Afghan case-aides and translators to liaise with licensed mental health providers through Healis’ telehealth program
USCRI has helped over 350,000 refugees resettle in the U.S. With volunteers as the mainstay of support, USCRI provides a variety of short-term assistance to help these individuals settle into their new lives and connect with communities. Support includes helping new neighbors enroll their children in school, obtain a driver’s license, and access health care and social services. USCRI promotes America’s longstanding aspiration to build bridges and promote inclusiveness.
IDENTIFYING THOSE IN NEED
Resettlement agencies and other agencies in contact with refugees screen and identify those at risk for mental health difficulties and make referrals to AMPAA and Healis. The two official languages of Afghanistan, Dari and Pashto, are spoken during screening.
AMPAA’s case aides schedule and coordinate with the patient, the doctor, the therapist, and others, and provide translation services during the consultation.
HOW IT WORKS
Healis pairs the patient with a personal physician who will be their primary mental health care provider throughout treatment. Each doctor is qualified to diagnose and to prescribe medications. Appointments are usually available within one week.
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Patients can see their primary physician as often as needed or desired for follow-up.
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Physicians direct patients’ clinical care and work with case aides to connect each patient with various resources, including financial aid, transportation, social support, individual psychotherapy, group therapy, and other services.
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Regular assessments are part of the program, along with referrals to specialty psychiatry, if more specialized consultation is needed.
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Doctors can transition patients to community resources and peer support when appropriate.
RESOURCES
