By LaGanzie Kale for KLEK-FM.
Broadcast version by Freda Ross for Arkansas News Service reporting for the KLEK-FM-Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation-Public News Service Collaboration.

In a significant community conversation on 102.5 FM, host LaGanzie Kale delved into the mental health challenges faced by ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) populations in Northeast Arkansas. Joined by Kenya Ward, LCSW, the discussion highlighted the unique struggles and mental health implications for these hardworking yet financially strained individuals.

Understanding the ALICE Population

ALICE populations include individuals and families who, despite being employed, struggle to meet basic needs due to limited assets and constrained incomes. These individuals live above the federal poverty line—approximately $12,000 for individuals and $24,000 for a family of four—yet they face significant financial challenges in covering essential expenses such as housing, childcare, and debt payments.

Kenya Ward emphasized that about 31% of Arkansas’s population falls into the ALICE category. “These are hardworking people living above the poverty line,” she explained, “but they still have a great deal of difficulty making ends meet and getting their basic needs met.”

Financial Stress and Mental Health

Financial stress significantly contributes to mental health issues among ALICE populations. The constant worry about finances can lead to severe mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety. Ward noted, “One in five Americans will experience some form of mental health issue in their lifetime,” highlighting the prevalence of these conditions.

Current inflation only exacerbates these challenges, with rising costs for necessities like food, clothing, shelter, and gas, while wages remain stagnant. Ward pointed out that even though wages might increase minimally, it is often not enough to make a substantial difference in alleviating financial stress. “This creates a vicious cycle of financial strain and mental health deterioration,” she said.

Manifestations of Mental Health Issues

Depression and anxiety are the most common mental health issues observed in ALICE populations. Ward described how depression might manifest differently between genders. In men, it often appears as anger or irritability due to societal pressures to provide for their families despite insufficient income. “Many times, men feel like it’s safer to demonstrate anger than to show sadness or grief,” Ward explained.

For women, depression and anxiety might present as feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, compounded by the need to balance work and household responsibilities. The constant struggle to make ends meet can lead to significant mental health breakdowns, affecting their overall well-being and productivity at work. This reduction in productivity further jeopardizes their financial situation, creating a cycle of stress and mental health decline.

Barriers to Accessing Mental Health Care

Several barriers prevent ALICE populations from accessing adequate mental health care. Ward highlighted the stigma associated with seeking mental health treatment, lack of time, and being underinsured or uninsured. Many insurance plans require high deductibles before covering mental health services, making it financially unfeasible for many families to seek help.

“People often feel guilt or shame when seeking mental health treatment,” Ward said. “It takes time to dispel these myths and break down the walls of stigma.”

Available Resources and Support

Despite these barriers, resources are available to help those in need. Ward mentioned pro bono sessions, sliding scale fees, and the possibility of working with interns at therapy agencies who can provide free or low-cost services. She emphasized the importance of overcoming the stigma and seeking help, as early intervention can significantly improve mental health outcomes.

Additionally, Ward discussed the role of psychotropic medications in treating mental health issues. While these medications have side effects, they can be a valuable temporary coping strategy to help individuals manage symptoms of depression and anxiety until they can develop more sustainable coping mechanisms through therapy.

The Impact on Productivity

Ward also discussed the impact of mental health issues on productivity. “If your mental health is suffering, you really don’t want to be around people,” she explained. “Most times, you really want to be alone. You want to kind of retreat and withdraw.” This withdrawal can lead to increased absenteeism, lower productivity, and even job turnover, further exacerbating financial and mental health challenges.

Lower productivity and frequent call-ins due to mental health issues can significantly affect the income and job stability of ALICE populations. This, in turn, perpetuates their financial difficulties, making it even harder for them to escape the cycle of financial strain and mental health struggles.

The Role of Therapy

Therapy can play a crucial role in helping ALICE populations cope with their mental health issues. Ward emphasized the importance of seeking help from mental health professionals who can provide diagnosis, develop treatment plans, and offer therapeutic interventions. She also mentioned the benefits of psychotropic medications, which can help manage symptoms and improve mental health stability.

Ward highlighted several resources available to those in need, including pro bono sessions, sliding scale fees, and therapy interns who can provide low-cost services. She also encouraged individuals to seek support from local therapists and mental health agencies.

Call to Action

The conversation concluded with a call to action for those in need to seek help from local therapists. Ward can be found at Jackie Scope Therapy, and there are numerous other mental health professionals in the Jonesboro and Northeast Arkansas area. Seeking help can provide much-needed support and relief for those struggling with the dual burden of financial and mental health challenges.

LaGanzie Kale encouraged listeners to take the first step towards mental wellness. “Help is out there,” he said. “Just do a Google search, find the right therapist for you, and get the help you need. Therapists would rather see you struggling but getting help than to just give up.”

Kenya Ward’s message resonated deeply, emphasizing the need for both individuals and policymakers to address the interconnected issues of financial stability and mental health. By providing support and resources, communities can help ALICE populations overcome their challenges and improve their overall well-being.

For those of you listening, if you or someone you know is struggling, please seek help. Local therapists like Kenya Ward at Jackie Scope Therapy are available, and there are many resources out there. Let’s work together to support our ALICE populations and ensure they receive the help they need.

This community conversation serves as a vital reminder of the challenges faced by ALICE populations in Northeast Arkansas. It urges all of us to take action, provide support, and advocate for policies that address the root causes of financial and mental health struggles. Together, we can make a difference.


LaGanzie Kale wrote this article for KLEK-FM.


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Indianapolis is expanding its innovative Clinician-Led Community Response program, offering Hoosiers a new approach to handling mental health crises.

The program is a collaboration between the City's Office of Public Health and Safety and Stepping Stones Therapy Center. It pairs licensed behavioral health professionals with 911 dispatch to address nonviolent emergencies without police involvement.

Andrea Brown, director of operations for Stepping Stones Therapy Center, said it meets people where they are.

"Meeting people in the community with accessible mental health services is monumental for the city of Indianapolis," Brown asserted.

The city reports success in the Downtown and East Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department districts, where the program recently expanded to 24/7 operations. The team answered 925 calls this year, assisting about 650 people.

Critics of similar programs argued law enforcement should remain involved in all emergency situations. However, city officials said the model frees police to focus on public safety while specialists manage mental health calls.

The next step happens later this month. It brings the program to the St. George Apartments near the north side, with a full rollout to the police department's North District in early 2025. The expansion brings an additional 192,000 residents access to mental health resources.

Ron Gibson, District 8 representative on the Indianapolis City-County Council, knows all too well the effects the program has.

"I know firsthand how important programs like this are," Gibson explained. "I've experienced family members in a behavioral health crisis, and it can be traumatic for all involved. But when you have experienced professionals show up, it makes all the difference in the world."

The program provides crisis intervention, de-escalation and referrals, while fostering long-term wellness. Supporters believe the expansion strengthens public safety across the city and builds trust within the community by addressing mental health needs directly.


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Some 380,000 Coloradans who need mental health care are not getting it, according to a Colorado Health Institute report.

Cost remains the biggest barrier, but one third of Coloradans reported having trouble getting an appointment. At least one provider in the state is addressing this deficiency.

Adam Roberts - president and CEO of Diversus Health - said after re-aligning staff and support systems to manage surges in demand, the Colorado Springs-based facility that serves all patients regardless of their ability to pay, can now provide care on the same day a new client reaches out.

"It's pretty brave when people actually want to come in and get care," said Roberts. "And so we look at it as, we should be ready at any time when a person recognizes they need care."

In as little as two hours after new clients call 719-572-6100 or walk into the Diversus facility in Colorado Springs, trauma-informed specialists will help clients navigate paperwork and provide an intake assessment.

Next, a clinician will review the assessment, provide a diagnosis, and clients leave with a series of next steps in hand.

State rules require that wait times for mental health treatment not exceed seven days. But in rural parts of the state, where mental health professionals are few and far between, wait times can be much longer.

Roberts said about half of their services are provided through telehealth - which allows them to serve clients anywhere with an internet connection, cell signal, or landline

"The telehealth option, the virtual option," said Roberts, "is an effective option to access behavioral health care for many people that have a hard time traveling to a provider."

More than one million Coloradans experience a mental health or substance use disorder each year.

Roberts said he hopes other providers will tap lessons learned at Diversus to offer same-day care for anyone who decides now is the time to get help.

"And I hope that others work towards that," said Roberts, "so that we can improve the mental health of the community that we live in, and the state of Colorado."




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The mental healthcare landscape in Nebraska is being upended by policies for reimbursing providers who see patients covered by both Medicare and Medicaid. Systems say they're losing money, resulting in access gaps for older low-income clients.

Providers say the key concern has to do with serving patients considered dual-eligible, meaning they're enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid. This year, the federal government expanded the scope of professionals who can see Medicare patients for therapy and be reimbursed.

But Jon Day, executive director of Blue Valley Behavioral Health, said because of how Nebraska policy aligns with dual-eligible situations, practitioners are now seeing rates cut in half.

"More providers are coming out and saying, 'Oh my gosh, we can't see these people cause we're losing money.' So, we either refer them out, or they're not taking on people as well," he explained.

Day estimates a $200,000 revenue loss for his system and added that it's not easy to refer clients elsewhere because of provider "deserts" in some areas. Those working with the Nebraska Assocation of Behavioral Health Organizations have been meeting with state Medicaid leaders, noting the state can cover the difference without taking on extra costs. But progress on a final solution has been slow.

Providers say they understand the federal government's desire to bring more mental health professionals to the table in seeing patients. But they add unintended consequences at the state level almost defeat the purpose.

Chase Francl, CEO and president of the Mid-Plains Center for Behavioral Healthcare Services, said this is a heartbreaking situation.

"There's such a low margin on any behavioral health services, and any small disruption really can have catastrophic effects," he said.

Even though fixes offered by these providers are described as solutions without extra costs, they acknowledge the challenging environment given the appetite among elected officials to reduce the state's budget. As for the federal change that brought this situation to light, Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioners can now be reimbursed under Medicare, and not just those with Masters or doctoral degrees in Social Work.