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BAGTAZO FOUNDATION



MUTUAL AID FOR MENTAL HEALTH

The Bagtazo Foundation is a mutual aid program that provides direct funding
and resources for mental healthcare treatments.






 

If you are struggling with your mental health or looking to end your relationship with substance abuse, but cannot afford treatment, the Bagtazo Foundation offers financial aid that can help reimburse all, or a portion of your associated medical expenses.

The Foundation also offers resources for navigating how to access affordable health insurance, finding the appropriate healthcare, as well as finding therapists and treatments catered to your specific needs.

 


TREATMENTS ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING

 
  • Therapy
    Out of pocket expenses paid to licensed therapists

    Acupuncture
    Out of pocket expenses paid to licensed acupuncturists treating for mental health

    In Patient Treatments
    Some in-patient treatments for mental health may be reimbursable through the Bagtazo Foundation.

  • Therapy
    Out of pocket expenses paid to licensed therapists specializing in addiction treatment

    Acupuncture
    Out of pocket expenses paid to licensed acupuncturists treating for addiction

    Rehabilitation
    Out of pocket expenses paid to rehabilitation treatment centers

  • Legal Fees for Single Parents
    Out of pocket expenses paid to lawyers and court fees associated with protecting your child from using and/or unstable co-parent.

    Criminal Charges
    Some out of pocket expenses paid to lawyers and court fees associated with drug related criminal charges may be reimbursed by the Bagtazo Foundation. Many exclusions apply, please contact us for further information.

    Legal Aid
    The Bagtazo Foundation has a growing network of support in navigating the legal system. Please inquire for more information.

 

MUTUAL AID PROGRAM OPTIONS

There are three types of financial aid programs to help you pay for medical expenses:

 
  • All treatments will be paid out of pocket by the person seeking assistance, and reimbursed by the Bagtazo Foundation. This option is best for those with steady income seeking assistance.

  • All recipients are eligible for pre-approval of reimbursement before receiving treatment. This method will provide the total amount the Bagtazo Foundation is able to reimburse you prior to seeking treatment. If you wish to do this, you will still be responsible for paying out of pocket and will get reimbursed after each treatment. This option is best for those with steady, but very little disposable income seeking assistance.

  • The direct payment program is for those unable to pay for their treatments out of pocket. The direct payment program pays the treatment provider directly at the time of each treatment. Recipients of this program will be informed of the total amount the Bagtazo Foundation will pay for treatment in advance of seeking treatment. Direct Payment requires proof of income. This program also requires that there are enough funds available, so please check in with us to confirm.

ACCESS

The Bagtazo Foundation is in funding phase. Financial aid is dependent on funds raised through merch and donations.

Access to funds requires an application process.

If you are interested in the accessing the mutual aid program, please reach out below:

 

SUPPORT WITH MERCH

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SUPPORT WITH MERCH -

100% of sales fund the Bagtazo Foundation

SUPPORT WITH MERCH

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SUPPORT WITH MERCH -

 

 
 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

FINDING A THERAPIST

Finding a therapist can be overwhelming.

Bagtazo Foundation recommends considering the first session as an interview to see if you’re a good fit for each other. Rather than diving into a talk therapy session right away, your first meeting with a therapist should focus on asking them about their approach as well as their specialties to ensure you’re on the same page with what kind of care you need. For example, if you are struggling with addiction, it’s important that your therapist has an interest in substance abuse.

  • Goals
    Clearly outline what you hope to achieve through therapy.

    Expectations
    Communicate your expectations of therapy, and ask about the therapist's approach.

    Ask Questions
    Clarify any uncertainties and inquire about their therapeutic processes.

    Honesty
    Be truthful regarding your thoughts and feelings.

    Instincts
    Use your instincts - if you do not feel a connection with your therapist, consider continuing your search.

    Patience
    Understand that finding the right therapist may take time, and that therapy is a gradual process.

    Even with a good fit, it takes time to build a trusting relationship with your therapist.

  • There are numerous therapy modalities, each designed to address specific issues or cater to different preferences and needs. Here is a list of some common types of therapy modalities:

    Somatic Therapy
    Addresses emotional issues by incorporating the body's sensations and experiences, using techniques like breathwork and movement for healing and stress relief.

    Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
    Focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors.

    Gestalt Therapy
    Encourages self-awareness and personal responsibility through focused attention on the present moment.

    EMDR Therapy
    This modality helps individuals process traumatic memories by using bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements. It aims to reduce the emotional impact of memories and promote adaptive processing for improved mental well-being.

    Dialectical Behavior

    Therapy (DBT)Integrates cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness to manage emotions.

    Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT)
    Concentrates on understanding and managing emotions to improve relationships.

    Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
    Focuses on improving interpersonal relationships and addressing communication patterns.

    Narrative Therapy
    Examines and reshapes the stories people tell about their lives to promote positive change.

    Hypnotherapy
    Uses hypnosis to induce a relaxed state where individuals may be more open to suggestion and insight.

    Biofeedback
    Involves the use of electronic monitoring to provide individuals with information about physiological processes, helping them learn to control these processes for therapeutic benefits.

    Please note, not all of the above modalities are covered by insurance.

    Additionally, this list is not exhaustive, and therapists often integrate multiple modalities based on the unique needs of their clients.

    Learn More

 
  • Psychology Today is an excellent resource for finding a therapist. You can search by location, insurance accepted, specialties and modalities.

    Any therapist found through Psychology Today is eligible for reimbursement through the Bagtazo Foundation.

    Visit Psychology Today

  • Residents of New York City can dial 988 from any phone to access a staff of trained mental health professionals that can help callers find appropriate mental health and substance abuse services.

    Services include:
    • Counseling
    • Referrals to care
    • Assistance in connecting to the referral
    • Follow-up services
    • Suicide prevention
    • Crisis intervention
    • Peer support

    988 is free and confidential and operates 24 hours per day, 7 days per week via phone, text, and internet chat. 988 is multilingual.

    Visit 988

  • If you are a musician, there are options through MusiCares to access free programs for healthcare, mental health, and addiction treatments.

    Visit MusiCares

 

COMING SOON

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MORE RESOURCES

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COMING SOON - MORE RESOURCES -

RESOURCES FOR ADDICTION

New York State
Residents of New York state have access to free and/or affordable mental health and addiction treatments through NYS Department of Health.

Visit OASAS

ADDITIONAL OPTIONS

Resources coming soon

 
 

 
Founder of Bagtazo Foundation, Coco Bagtazo. Photo taken at La Sala - Hats & Fine Dressing, Bagtazo's studio and showroom. Shop by appointment at 106 President St Brooklyn, NY 11231

ABOUT
THE FOUNDATION
& THE FOUNDER


The opioid epidemic has had a devastating effect on our communities, taking countless lives due to its high dependency and fatal effects. This crisis has directly impacted me, with many of my friends and loved ones succumbing to this extremely addictive substance.

Through my first-hand experience, it’s become clear that many drug users turn to substances as a way to self-medicate for an underlying mental health condition that often goes undiagnosed.

During the past two decades of struggling with my own mental health, I once self-medicated. But I’m one of the lucky ones who never turned to opioids, and I was also fortunate enough to have accessed therapy when I realized I needed help.

In addressing my mental health, I was able to clearly see its relationship with my substance use. Through this experience, I began to understand that the stigmas surrounding mental health keep so many of us from seeking help; and as a result, we turn to drug use.

This process has been a costly and time-consuming journey with ongoing challenges, but it has reshaped my understanding of addiction, and opened my eyes to the struggles that so many of us face with our mental health.

In response, I created the Bagtazo Foundation. To get the help one needs is mentally, emotionally and bureaucratically challenging, not to mention, cost prohibitively expensive for most.

My aim with the Bagtazo Foundation is to alleviate some of the frustration and set backs for anyone who is serious about getting help.Through my own experience, I understand that one has to want to help themselves in order to overcome substance abuse and manage one’s mental health, but that never means that you have to do it alone.

Bagtazo has always donated a portion of sales to funds that support our community, and has regularly sent aid directly to job or housing insecure friends. With the formation of the Bagtazo Foundation, I intend to continue to make a positive impact on those in our community through focused direct action and mutual aid, while striving to fight the stigmas around drug dependency and accessing mental health care.

If you'd like to support the Bagtazo Foundation, please consider purchasing merch or donating. 

TYSM,

Coco

 

SUPPORT WITH MERCH

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SUPPORT WITH MERCH -

SUPPORT WITH MERCH

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SUPPORT WITH MERCH -

 

INTERESTED IN HELPING?

The Bagtazo foundation is currently looking for the following assistance:

•Grant Writers
•Data Base building volunteers
•Mental Healthcare providers, including but not limited to therapists, counselors and acupuncturists

If you are interested in helping, please apply below