Mental and Physical Health: Hand in Hand
“Stress affects physical health—and it keeps people from going to their [doctor] appointments,” says Christine Young, who trained as a Community Health Worker (CHW) through Health Care Access Now (HCAN).
As a care coordinator for Talbert House, Young administers a screening to outpatient mental health clients that helps reveal health-related social needs, such as issues with housing, employment, or transportation. The screening also shows whether the client has a primary care physician. She then refers the clients to resources based on their needs.
Many of the clients Young serves have been diagnosed with a chronic disease, whether that’s hypertension, asthma, arthritis, or even just chronic pain. “A lot of clients have back pain,” she says. Young’s work ensures that those clients get help for both mental and physical issues.
Young says that the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has found that 68% of adults with mental health conditions also have a physical condition. “It goes hand in hand,” she says. “But only 13% receive primary care.” Young fills in those care gaps. “We find barriers to their health and make sure we’re serving them holistically.”
Chronic stress as a factor
“Stress is a huge thing for our clients,” says Young. Reasons for stress include “dealing with housing problems, not having an income, waiting for social security to come through.” Stress can affect physical health.
And those suffering from chronic stress are often in survival mode. “They’re worried about getting to the next day,” she says. So doing “extra” things—like going to the doctor—can fall down their list of priorities.
Clients may deal with stress using negative coping skills, such as substance use, avoidance, or self-harm. So they can cope more effectively, Young connects clients with resources that help them overcome barriers that may be contributing to stress. When clients address those issues, they can find their stress decreases.
“There are so many programs here at Talbert House that they might not even know about,” says Young. Examples she gives include a financial assistance program that clients can apply to through their therapy. “There are housing programs specific to clients with mental health diagnoses that people don’t know about,” she says. “Educating helps alleviate stress.”
Sometimes clients are aware of the programs but find applying confusing or overwhelming. Young helps with that issue, too, walking clients through application processes.
Working with the whole person
Talbert House’s therapists work with clients on mental health issues. Care coordinators like Young work with clients to ensure that their health-related social needs are addressed. And, by identifying whether clients have physical health providers that they see regularly (and connecting them with providers), they increase the likelihood that clients will attend to their physical health needs, too.
Care coordinators and CHWs fill an important role in ensuring that people who seek mental health treatment receive education and resources about their health as a whole person. “Stress compounds everything,” Young says. And the work she does can alleviate that stress and bring about better holistic health for Talbert House’s clients.
