United Way teams up with Familywise

United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties and FamilyWize team up to combat nation’s mental health problems and help thousands in need of prescription assistance.

Partnership with FamilyWize saves $1.3 Million for 15,010 people locally and provides access to mental health medication.

With the ongoing increase in efforts to effectively address mental health in communities across the country, United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties and the FamilyWize Community Service Partnership have teamed together to provide a solution for the community. Local residents have saved $460,412 on mental health prescription medications they might not have been able to afford otherwise, thanks to a partnership between the two organizations.

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.

FamilyWize, a unique national grassroots community initiative offering free prescription assistance to millions of Americans in partnership with United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties, 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 United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties.

FamilyWize and United Way Worldwide have helped nearly 7 million people save close to $700 million on the medicines they need to live healthy lives – including $197 million in mental health prescription cost savings. Almost 1,000 United Ways distribute the cards in the communities they serve.

“Prescription medicine is crucial for maintaining mental health, but the high costs often act as a barrier,” said Meisha Waller, Director of Community Impact at United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties. “We’re living in tight economic times. People should not have to choose between taking their medication and paying for a meal. The FamilyWize prescription savings program can make the difference in whether or not a patient obtains the proper medicine and follows proper treatment.”

"Many of the uninsured and underinsured individuals helped by this program may have had to skip their medications otherwise due to high costs," Waller said.

To learn more about FamilyWize and United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties, visit www.yourlocaluw.org.