Mental Health
iMPROve Health leads collaborative programming aimed at addressing various aspects of mental well-being. From helping lonely and isolated seniors to equipping libraries with needed resources to affect substance use disorder, our projects are designed to collectively impact community health across Michigan. Learn more about our mental health projects below.
Social Isolation
Social isolation and loneliness have been linked to higher healthcare costs, greater depression, and increased mortality.
iMPROve Health has developed an innovative pilot project to curb social isolation and healthcare overutilization among seniors, thanks to a grant from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund. The project trains pharmacists to screen older adults for social isolation and then connect them with community resources and their primary care providers.
At present, 13 pharmacies and five senior service agencies are participating in the project.
Social Isolation Summit
Together We Conquer Loneliness: The Social Isolation Summit was hosted virtually in June 2021 by iMPROve Health as part of a Michigan Health Endowment Fund Healthy Aging grant. This summit brought together social isolation and loneliness experts to share best practices and to network and educate medical professionals, social service providers, and the public about this public health crisis.
Libraries as Mental Health Hubs
iMPROve Health’s Libraries as Mental Health Hubs initiative addresses barriers to mental health care access in rural communities (e.g., availability of providers, cost, lack of anonymity and stigma) by making mental health services more accessible to the public. Using an evidence-based model, we train librarians in mental health first aid, connect library patrons to social work services, equip libraries with naloxone boxes to address overdoses, train library staff to administer naloxone, and host community awareness events about health education for children and older adults.
Participating libraries include:
- Big Rapids Community Library
- Central Lake District Library
- Evart Public Library
- Hart Public Library
- LeRoy Community Library
- Marion Public Library
- Mason County District Library – Ludington and Scottville branches
- Morton Township Library
- Pentwater Township Library
- Tamarack District Library
iMPROve Health received a behavioral health grant through the Michigan Health Endowment Fund. The Health Fund works to improve the health and wellness of Michigan residents and reduce the cost of healthcare, with a special focus on children and seniors.
