INDIANAPOLIS — Church leaders on the east side of Indianapolis are working to transform their community through free therapy.
For more than 30 years, Living Word Baptist Church has been working to transform and renew its east side community through initiatives like affordable housing and food pantries.
"We are in 46218 (ZIP code). It's one of the highest poverty areas in the city. It's also one of the highest crime-ridden areas in the city. Oftentimes, when crime rates are high, it's simply because people's needs are not being met," said Reginald Fletcher, pastor of Living Word Baptist Church Reginald Fletcher.
Fletcher said up until recently, one of those needs was therapy.
"We know that if someone addresses their mental health and create a stable mindset to live in, they make better choices," he said.
With the help of a $40,000 grant from the Indianapolis Center For Congregations, they were able to start a free mental health hub for people of all ages. The hub offers one-on-one and group therapy services.
"It's a comfortable and quiet space that's relaxing and it takes away the anxiety and gives you a comforting place for you to share what you're going through and also be able to receive help," said Fletcher.
Help that resident therapist Krissy Cofield said some people may be afraid to ask for.
"A lot of us grew up with the idea that what happens in our house stays in our house. So we don't really go seek help when we need it," said Cofield.
But she said there are a lot of people who need it.
"A lot of people have been exposed to trauma. It can be gun violence. It can be community violence. It can be racial trauma," said Cofield.
She said some people may not even know they've been exposed.
"They're dealing with depression. They're dealing with anxiety and not realizing that the root of it is some type of trauma you haven't resolved," said Cofield.
Fletcher said offering these free sessions right here in the heart of the east side means people don't have to leave their community to find quality care. It allows the church to take care of people in more ways than one.
"The goal for us is to live life to the fullest and the best we have. What we want to do is take away those stigma's from pigeon holding people and helping people regardless of where they come from," said Fletcher.
You do not need insurance for these services. It's completely free. For more information, visit the Living Word Baptist Church website.