CLEARFIELD – With the ongoing increase in efforts to effectively address mental health in communities across the country, the Clearfield Area United Way and the FamilyWize Community Service Partnership have teamed together to provide a solution for communities.
Local residents have saved thousands of dollars on mental health prescription medications they might not have been able to afford otherwise, thanks to a partnership between the two organizations, the free FamilyWize discount prescription card.
More than one in five U.S. adults suffers from mental health issues, while one in 10 young adults experience a period of significant depression, according to MentalHealth.gov.
One in 20 Americans lives with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or major depression.
As part of May’s National Mental Health Awareness Month, FamilyWize, based in Bethlehem, Pa., is offering free prescription assistance in partnership with Clearfield Area United Way, and is dedicated to reducing the cost of prescription medicine for individuals and families through distribution of free prescription savings cards.
The FamilyWize cards may be used by anyone in need and are provided free through Clearfield Area United Way at its Web site, clearfieldareaunitedway.org, or familywize.org.
The FamilyWize card requires no enrollment or activation. Consumers give the re-usable card to their pharmacists every time a prescription is needed and discounts are automatically applied.
The FamilyWize card is accepted at more than 60,000 pharmacies nationwide, including most major pharmacies.
For more information, or to download a free prescription card or compare the discounted price of prescriptions at nearby pharmacies visit www.FamilyWize.org.
“Prescription medicine is crucial for maintaining mental health, but the high costs often act as a barrier,” said Nancy Pinto of the Clearfield Area United Way.
“We’re living in tight economic times. People should not have to choose between taking their medication and paying for a meal. Many of the uninsured and underinsured individuals helped by this program may have had to skip their medications otherwise due to high costs,” Pinto added.
The average discount is 40 percent and is sometimes as much as 75 percent or more — similar to what pharmacies give the largest insurance companies and employers.
United Way is a worldwide movement of nearly 1,800 community-based United Ways in 41 countries and territories. It advances the common good by focusing on education, income and health – the building blocks for a good quality life.
The United Way movement mobilizes millions to action – to give, advocate and volunteer – to improve conditions in their local community. More information can be had by calling the CAUW at 814-765-6521.
