GRO Community Launches Psychiatric Services to Deepen Mental Health Support in Underserved Communities
CHICAGO, IL, August 6, 2025 — GRO Community, a Black-owned mental health and social services organization based in Chicago, has launched new psychiatric services as part of its mission to deliver culturally competent, trauma-informed care for Black and Brown boys and men. This expansion strengthens the organization’s wholistic approach to healing at a time when racial mental health disparities are deepening nationwide.
The rollout comes amid sobering findings in the Commonwealth Fund’s 2024 State Health Disparities Report, which identified systemic factors—poverty, pollution, underinsurance, and lack of primary care—as key drivers of racial health disparities. According to the report, Black individuals face increased rates of incarceration for mental illness, higher misdiagnosis rates, and reduced access to specialists like psychiatrists.
Dr. Patrice J. Holmes to Lead GRO’s New Psychiatric Practice
This expansion includes the hiring of Dr. Patrice J. Holmes, a board-certified psychiatrist with deep experience in serving under-resourced and historically marginalized populations. Dr. Holmes will lead GRO’s psychiatric practice, overseeing medication management, diagnostic assessments, and clinical integration with the organization’s existing behavioral health services.
“This gap in care has existed for far too long, and offering this service reflects our belief that mental health is whole health,” said Aaron Mallory, CEO at GRO Community. “By bringing psychiatric services in-house—led by a Black psychiatrist who understands the lived experience of our communities—we’re building a model rooted in trust, science, and cultural dignity while taking another step forward in our mission to rebuild lives and restore purpose.”
Longstanding Gap in Culturally Competent Care
The Commonwealth Fund’s 2024 State Health Disparities Report also confirms that patients of color experience better outcomes when treated by clinicians who share their racial background—from improved communication to more efficient care utilization.
Yet access remains a challenge:
- Only 1 in 3 Black Americans who need mental health care actually receive it.
- African Americans are more likely to be treated in emergency settings than by mental health professionals.
- Physician-patient communication tends to be less collaborative and more authoritarian with Black patients, leading to lower quality of care.
“Many of our clients are managing complex trauma, and access to appropriate psychiatric care can be life changing. We’re not just prescribing—we’re listening, understanding, and restoring hope,” said Dr. Patrice Holmes.
Integrated Services Across GRO’s Healing Ecosystem
GRO’s new psychiatric services will be available to clients across its service regions, beginning with Chicago, with telepsychiatry options extending to its other areas of operation. These services will be fully integrated into GRO’s multidisciplinary care model, which includes:
- Individual and group counseling
- School-based social-emotional learning (SEL)
- Gun violence prevention initiatives
- Transitional housing and workforce development
“We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all mental health care,” said Mallory. “Every piece of our ecosystem is designed to reflect the realities our clients live in—and the healing they deserve.”
Insurance Access and Availability
GRO Community accepts Medicaid and other major insurance plans for its services—including therapy, psychiatry, and wraparound support. Many individuals are unaware that Medicaid covers comprehensive mental health care, including psychiatric evaluations, medication management, counseling, and community-based services. As a result, countless people delay or avoid getting the care they need due to fear of cost or misinformation. GRO encourages individuals with Medicaid to reach out and explore available services without delay.
For interviews, referrals, or partnership opportunities, contact JoAnna Fernandez at jfernandez@grocommunity.org or visit www.grocommunity.org.
About GRO Community
God. Restoring. Order. (GRO) Community is a Black-owned mental health and social services organization headquartered in Chicago’s Roseland neighborhood, with services extending across Illinois and Ohio. GRO was founded to confront the deep and lasting effects of chronic trauma and exposure to violence among Black and Brown boys and men ages 5 and up—particularly those living in under-resourced, high-crime communities.
Believing that mental health is whole health, GRO’s service delivery model is grounded in an understanding of the neurological, biological, and psychological effects of trauma. GRO’s Black and Brown clinicians provide behavior and clinical support by helping clients identify harmful thinking patterns, develop emotional regulation, and build the social-emotional skills needed to navigate life’s setbacks.
Through individual and group counseling, school-based SEL, gun violence prevention, transitional housing, and workforce development, GRO offers an integrated approach to healing. GRO Community is more than mental health—it is a complete ecosystem for healing and empowerment. Together we heal. Together we thrive.
