Monday, June 2, 2025
By Stefan Bayoumi
Today mental health resources are becoming more normalized and widespread while simultaneously becoming less accessible to larger communities of people. Like most resources in healthcare, questions are now arising on how to best help people in more marginal communities, particularly lower income clients or clients with niche interests or occupations. But George Washington University’s Care For Creatives program seeks to address these issues head on with their mental health support program, specifically geared towards creatives and entrepreneurs.
Partnered with the DC Creative Affairs office, the Care For Creatives began following the COVID-19 pandemic, a moment that showcased the great need for mental health resources during and after the pandemic that put so many people’s lives on hiatus. The program is open to any creatives who reach out through email, and these creative will be matched with a counseling intern who will support them through a short-term, solution-oriented therapy approach. All services are confidential and are available in-person at GW’s Foggy Bottom location, or through telehealth to DC residents.
I had the great pleasure of speaking with two members of the program, Dr. Mary Deraedt and Dr. Maggie Parker, both professors at GWU and vital pillars of the Care for Creatives Program. Our discussion covered numerous topics from kinds of help provided to the people who the program is geared towards. One essential point they emphasized was how this program is not just for GWU students, it is available to the community as a whole, especially in the wake of mass firings throughout the federal government and D.C. as a whole. They spoke of the importance of a mental health program that dealt with such a diverse population, and the need to provide services on an as-needed basis depending on people’s financial situation. As the school year comes to a close and new graduates and experienced workers alike search for work, this program is beneficial for any and all community members in need. You can learn more about the program itself through their website at www.creativeaffairsdc.com/partnerships.