The holidays present a certain amount of stress and at times, it may almost seem like too much. Fortunately, there are ways to manage stressful times by using some short-term coping mechanisms. However, what do people do in the event that life’s pressures develop into long-term stress, depression and other mental illness conditions? That’s one of the reasons we’re proud that Colorado Community Health Centers (CHCs) offer mental health services as part of patient-centered care services (along with comprehensive primary health care, dental care, and enabling services).
The well-being of patients is of utmost importance at Colorado CHCs. CHCs know that mental health is an important piece of primary health care by treating the whole patient. CHCs treat patients when there are small amounts of stress to when more mental health management is required. CHCs in Colorado provide mental health services at some of their locations or by working with community partners to provide mental health services.
CHCs are finding innovative ways to offer mental health services to their clients.
For example:
- Patients at Clinica Family Health Services, Inc. (Clinica) attending a regular primary health care appointment may also have immediate access to behavioral health care consultants. Clinica employs two full-time social workers to aid in seeing patients at regular appointments.
- High Plains Community Health Center based in Lamar offers onsite mental health and substance abuse counselors. Additionally, High Plains offers self-management tools for patients to help facilitate their own health care improvements.
- Colorado Coalition for the Homeless in Denver not only offers mental health services by appointment but also offers walk-in services on various days of the week.
- Like many CHCs, the team of primary care and behavioral health professionals at Salud Family Health Centers based in Ft. Lupton, work together to link physical health and mental health. It is important to know that mental health stress can affect physical conditions.
Among many other professions, CHCs employ mental health providers such as psychiatrists, licensed clinical social workers, case managers and therapists. Working for a CHC is a very gratifying, mission driven experience. Would you like to work in a CHC? If so, and to learn more about what other employees of CHCs are saying click here, or search for CHC Jobs on the CHAMPS Job Board.
