St. Joseph Health Queen of the Valley Medical Center - Integrated Behavioral Health Initiative

What is it?

The hospital has integrated behavioral health screenings and services into its programs and collaborates with community partners to address service gaps. In 2006, the hospital launched a postpartum depression program with local providers to screen all pregnant and postpartum women in the county and offer free counseling and referral services to at-risk women. In 2008, the hospital integrated behavioral health into the CARE Network to provide free assessment and mental health services to low-income, chronically ill or high-risk recently hospitalized clients. The hospital recently partnered in implementing the “Healthy Minds, Healthy Aging Program,” a community-based behavioral health initiative for underserved older adults at risk for behavioral or cognitive health issues.

Who is it for?

Underserved individuals needing access to behavioral health services.

Why do they do it?

There is a critical gap in access to mental health services for low-income, Spanish-speaking or older individuals.

Impact

Last year, the programs screened 1,650 individuals and served more than 230 clients with nearly 1,130 therapy sessions. Of the clients that completed services, 90 percent demonstrated improvement in depression symptoms.

Contact: Dana Codron
Executive Director, Community Outreach
Telephone: 707-251-2013
Email: dana.codron@stjoe.org