Integrative Health is Whole Body Health

Lives changed. Communities revitalized. Families housed. The services Catholic Charities agencies provide can dramatically improve the well-being of their clients, and through donor generosity, CCUSA is able to support this important work. Our spotlight this issue is on integrated health — that is, physical and behavioral health — and the dramatic, lasting impact when it is improved.

A Medicare participant, Suzanne* had experienced many health challenges but was benefiting from in-person therapy services before the pandemic. During lockdown, she adapted quickly to biweekly telehealth counseling to prevent escalation of symptoms, even as she was hit with a series of calamities: the death of her mother, a congestive heart failure diagnosis and then COVID, which landed her in the hospital. All the while, she continued with telehealth sessions.

Suzanne is now gardening again, leading craft groups and going out with friends and family. She is also helping friends undergoing cancer treatment by grocery shopping and being supportive while allowing others to be close and accepting support herself. The help she received through Catholic Charities has truly had a ripple effect in her life and the lives of others.

This story of how one Catholic Charities agency pivoted during the pandemic to online behavioral health services drives home the point of how important a continuity of care is for vulnerable clients. Many of the agencies made similar changes and investments in critical resources so the services their communities received would not be interrupted.