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 (SIL) are linked to higher healthcare costs, greater depression, and increased mortality.
iMPROve Health developed an innovative project to curb SIL and reduce healthcare overutilization among seniors thanks to a Michigan Health Endowment Fund Healthy Aging Grant. The project equipped pharmacists with the skills to screen older adults for SIL, connecting them to relevant community services and their primary care providers. 13 pharmacies and five senior service agencies participated in the project across four Michigan counties.
To ensure sustainability, a web-based interactive e-learning change package was developed to assist pharmacists and other healthcare professionals in screening older adults for SIL. The change package provides materials on replicating the project within their setting and information on connecting people with community and healthcare resources.
Learn more about the Addressing Social Isolation through Pharmacies Project and its successes.
Social Isolation Summit
The second Social Isolation Summit: An Intergenerational Approach! took place October 26, 2023. Hosted by iMPROve Health, this hybrid summit addressed the growing issues of social isolation and loneliness and how intergenerational programing can address this public health crisis across the lifespan. This event was made possible as part of the Michigan Health Endowment Fund Healthy Aging Grant.
Learn more about the success of the summit in fighting social isolation and loneliness through collaborative efforts.
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.
