{"id":25469,"date":"2023-10-20T13:52:00","date_gmt":"2023-10-20T18:52:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timelycare.com\/?p=25469"},"modified":"2025-10-13T10:34:14","modified_gmt":"2025-10-13T15:34:14","slug":"sustainable-funding-strategies-for-mental-health-and-basic-needs-support-post-heerf","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timelycare.com\/blog\/sustainable-funding-strategies-for-mental-health-and-basic-needs-support-post-heerf\/","title":{"rendered":"Sustainable Funding Strategies for Mental Health and Basic Needs Support Post-HEERF"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"25469\" class=\"elementor elementor-25469\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6cfba01 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"6cfba01\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-0899e86 ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"0899e86\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-49b9a7d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"49b9a7d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In the wake of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www2.ed.gov\/programs\/heerf\/index.html\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF)<\/a> era, federal emergency funds for higher education has concluded, but its impact endures on campuses across the country, as demonstrated in a recent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/education\/2023\/10\/02\/colleges-covid-relief-programs-impact\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">Washington Post article<\/a>. Connecticut State Colleges and Universities serve as a prime example, having used HEERF to expand access to much-needed 24\/7 mental health services through <a href=\"https:\/\/timelycare.com\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_self\">TimelyCare<\/a> for students at all 12 of its community colleges. The system transitioned to institutional funds when the federal emergency funding was no longer available, to ensure that crucial support persisted.<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/o-john-maduko-m-d-6582a2a\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">John Maduko, M.D., President of Connecticut State Community College,<\/a> emphasizes the significance of this investment, stating, \u201cIt was a no-brainer to make that institutional investment. The numbers speak for themselves. The mental health challenges and insecurities had already existed. COVID-19 exacerbated them but also forced higher education, higher education leaders, and practitioners to pay closer attention. We cannot simply ignore what our students are facing.\u201d<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www2.ed.gov\/about\/offices\/list\/ope\/caresact.html\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act or, CARES Act<\/a> HEERF funds helped many colleges and universities subsidize the cost of bringing additional mental health support to students. According to the U.S. Department of Education, institutions have spent<a href=\"https:\/\/www2.ed.gov\/about\/offices\/list\/ope\/heerf-2021-annual-performance-report.pdf\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\"> nearly all those funds<\/a> that became available in 2021. Yet many programs launched with help from this pandemic relief money were so successful that they have become critical to campus communities. Institutions now grapple with the challenge of how to sustain these critical services post-HEERF.<\/p><p>Recently, <a href=\"https:\/\/timelycare.com\/blog\/author\/becky-laman\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_self\">TimelyCare\u2019s Chief Strategy Officer, Becky Laman<\/a>, moderated an engaging discussion at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.acct.org\/events\/acct-leadership-congress\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Leadership Congress<\/a> about how community colleges are finding the resources to support 24\/7 care for students. The panel, titled \u201cFunding Strategies to Provide Sustainable Mental Health and Basic Needs Support in a Post-HEERF World,\u201d explored the journeys of administrators, trustees, and legislators at three different school systems. These stories offer insight into overcoming various challenges to secure ongoing funding for equitable mental health resources for their students.<\/p><p>The panelists were Ryan Balber, Director, Virginia Higher Education Procurement Consortium, James (JW) Kelley, Associate Vice President, Student Services at North Carolina Community College System, and Jennifer Keiper, Senior Director of CollegeBuys at the Foundation for California Community Colleges (FoundationCCC). They discussed how their respective systems have secured funding to continue to support virtual mental health care.<\/p><h4>Advocacy for mental health support<\/h4><p>Knowing the severity and the impact of the mental health crisis, Laman asked panelists how they gained advocacy and stakeholders, given so many competing priorities.<\/p><p>In Virginia, a consortium created nine years ago by vice presidents of finance interested in cooperative purchasing, partnered with TimelyCare to address post-pandemic needs. Balber said, \u201cThe greatest thing about this project is it didn\u2019t come from procurement. It came from student services aware of the need after the pandemic.\u201d<\/p><p>He noted that Virginia\u2019s 23 community college presidents met with the chancellor and requested funding, \u201cThey made sure they involved everyone in the process, and it started at the highest level at institutions with the same need at the same time.\u201d In partnership with several public four-year universities across the state, \u201ccollaboratively, we were able to satisfy that need.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d83ed42 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"d83ed42\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e00edce ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"e00edce\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-dce-advanced-background-color=\"#C2D8EC\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-259ff01 elementor-blockquote--skin-boxed elementor-blockquote--button-color-official elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"259ff01\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<b>Read Ryan Balber's University Business op-ed: <\/b> <br> \n<a href=\"https:\/\/universitybusiness.com\/3-ways-cooperative-purchasing-agreements-support-student-success\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">3 ways cooperative purchasing agreements support student success<\/a>\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5648106 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"5648106\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-271cc1b ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"271cc1b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b08c1c5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b08c1c5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Keiper discussed how in California the need for student access to virtual care was exacerbated by the pandemic so FoundationCCC prioritized the search for a solution. \u201cWe developed criteria specifically tailored to higher education, focusing on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hhs.gov\/hipaa\/for-professionals\/privacy\/index.html\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">HIPAA<\/a>, FERPA, and Section 508 compliance; we wanted to make sure there was 24\/7 access because students need help at night and on weekends, and we didn\u2019t want to charge the students.\u201d She said after a thorough vetting process, \u201cTimelyCare became the clear leader\u201d and was awarded the contract for service.<\/p><p>In North Carolina, Kelley stressed creating a sense of urgency and making compelling arguments for next steps. He shared how the community colleges\u2019 student government association did a statewide survey of students and identified mental and physical health support as a pressing need. While the state board was going through a strategic planning process, \u201cholistically meeting the needs of student mental and physical wellness\u201d rose to become an immediate action item.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-b19421f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"b19421f\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-23cc09d ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"23cc09d\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3296104 elementor-cta--layout-image-right elementor-cta--skin-classic elementor-animated-content elementor-widget elementor-widget-call-to-action\" data-id=\"3296104\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"call-to-action.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-content-item elementor-cta__content-item elementor-icon-wrapper elementor-cta__icon elementor-view-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"146.176\" height=\"149.08\" viewBox=\"0 0 146.176 149.08\"><g transform=\"translate(-5555.288 -2392.131)\"><g transform=\"translate(5573.009 2394.381)\"><line y1=\"12.497\" transform=\"translate(55.269)\" stroke-width=\"4.5\" stroke=\"#606060\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" fill=\"none\"><\/line><line x1=\"4.597\" y1=\"12.631\" transform=\"translate(33.56 2.884)\" stroke-width=\"4.5\" stroke=\"#606060\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" fill=\"none\"><\/line><line x1=\"8.411\" y1=\"10.024\" transform=\"translate(13.725 13.204)\" stroke-width=\"4.5\" stroke=\"#606060\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" fill=\"none\"><\/line><line x1=\"11.903\" y1=\"6.872\" transform=\"translate(0 27.022)\" stroke-width=\"4.5\" stroke=\"#606060\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" fill=\"none\"><\/line><line y1=\"5.882\" x2=\"10.188\" transform=\"translate(100.545 30.656)\" stroke-width=\"4.5\" stroke=\"#606060\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" fill=\"none\"><\/line><line y1=\"9.717\" x2=\"8.153\" transform=\"translate(89.438 14.618)\" stroke-width=\"4.5\" stroke=\"#606060\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" fill=\"none\"><\/line><line y1=\"12.555\" x2=\"4.57\" transform=\"translate(72.38 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transform=\"translate(96.357)\"><path d=\"M5656.774,2461.331l8.423,6.919a11.133,11.133,0,0,1,4.064,8.6v28.1\" transform=\"translate(-5623.942 -2423.422)\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#606060\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" stroke-width=\"4.5\"><\/path><path d=\"M5658.325,2475.325l.045,5.931v17.263\" transform=\"translate(-5623.473 -2419.198)\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#606060\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" stroke-width=\"4.5\"><\/path><circle cx=\"17.492\" cy=\"17.492\" r=\"17.492\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#606060\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" stroke-width=\"4.5\"><\/circle><\/g><\/g><path d=\"M5620.952,2417.885c12.105,0,22.848,4.921,29.487,12.474h9.655c-7.442-12.054-22.191-20.286-39.143-20.286s-31.7,8.232-39.142,20.286h9.655C5598.105,2422.806,5608.847,2417.885,5620.952,2417.885Z\" transform=\"translate(7.326 4.737)\" fill=\"#f4bd51\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-cta__title elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFund Your Virtual Health Care Program\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__description elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span style=\"font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 500; white-space: normal;\">Learn more about funding options so your campus community can thrive.<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__button-wrapper elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item \">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-cta__button elementor-button elementor-size-md\" href=\"https:\/\/timelycare.com\/contact\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"follow noopener noreferrer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tLearn more\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c1bc903 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"c1bc903\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d50cf92 ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"d50cf92\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d4ff658 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d4ff658\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4>Continued funding for mental health support<\/h4><p>Laman pointed out that <a href=\"https:\/\/timelycare.com\/blog\/virtual-health-care-funding-options-for-colleges-and-universities\/?highlight=funding\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_self\">incorporating funds from federal, state, and system levels<\/a> is \u201cboth an art and a science.\u201d Many TimelyCare partners use combined funding sources and take advantage of cooperative purchasing agreements. In fact, TimelyCare helps provide guidance on specific resources that may be available.<\/p><p>Balber highlighted that getting top-down support can help initiatives move faster and recommended that group purchasing agreements include, \u201cflexibility for each school to have scalable and customizable programs.\u201d<\/p><p>Reporting a return on investment in mental health and wellness was also identified as an important factor in securing ongoing financial support. According to Jennifer Keiper, \u201cData is key when asking for continued funding.\u201d<\/p><p>\u201cThe storytelling piece is critical as well, so include student testimonials and build case studies.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2f81817 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"2f81817\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b6597e4 ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"b6597e4\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-dce-advanced-background-color=\"#C2D8EC\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d7c58c9 elementor-blockquote--skin-boxed elementor-blockquote--button-color-official elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"d7c58c9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<b>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/timelycare.com\/resources\/collegebuys-enables-schools-to-deliver-virtual-mental-health-care\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_self\">Download the case study<\/a><\/b> to see how CollegeBuys helps schools in California and across the country deliver virtual mental health care that supports student success goals.\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-067841a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"067841a\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-fbe9e96 ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"fbe9e96\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ccf2278 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ccf2278\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Kelley said there\u2019s an interest in utilization, students\u2019 persistence, retention, and completion rates. However, he stressed the importance of going beyond mere numbers and capturing the qualitative aspects in return on investment reporting. This qualitative dimension contributes to fostering a culture of caring across campuses. He noted that utilization alone can\u2019t measure an \u201cexpected benefit\u201d and pointed out that many employers provide health and dental insurance support for employees, but don\u2019t expect 100% to have appointments every day.<\/p><p>When considering whether to limit access to virtual care for part-time students, the panel strongly advocated for equitable access for all students. Kelly and Keiper explained how many community college students are in part-time programs for workforce development, technical skills certification, dual enrollment, or high school equivalency completion. They emphasized that mental health affects every aspect of a student&#8217;s experience, and no one should be excluded. Delaying support hampers students&#8217; well-being.<\/p><p>Kelley\u2019s message to community college leaders is one of perseverance. \u201cDon\u2019t give up on securing the necessary funding for student mental health and wellness.\u201d His advice is simple: if Plan A doesn\u2019t work, go to Plan B, and even Plan C if necessary.<\/p><p>TimelyCare can help identify funding options for virtual health and wellness programs for college students and provide guidance on how to evaluate the effectiveness of existing programs. Contact <a href=\"https:\/\/timelycare.com\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_self\">TimelyCare<\/a> to learn more.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In the wake of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF) era, federal emergency funds for higher education has concluded, but its impact endures on campuses across the country, as demonstrated in a recent Washington Post article. Connecticut State Colleges and Universities serve as a prime example, having used HEERF to expand access to much-needed [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":83,"featured_media":25482,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25469","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mental-health"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.9 - 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