The Salvation Army Provides Telehealth Counseling as Depression Rates Rise during Pandemic
According to recent research conducted by Boston University, the rate of depression in adults across all demographics in the United States has tripled during the COVID-19 pandemic. The predominant factor in the increase is concern about personal financial well-being, according to the study authors. “Persons who were already at risk before COVID-19, those with fewer social and economic resources, were more likely to report probable depression,” said Catherine Ettman.
The Salvation Army has a long history of providing behavioral health services to the most vulnerable members of our community, particularly those who are homeless, struggling financially, unemployed or unable to afford health insurance. Many of the Army’s behavioral health programs, like the Community Counseling Center and Wellspring, are free or very low-cost.
In recent months, The Salvation Army has had to rethink some of the ways it offers individual and group counseling and other behavioral health services in order to maintain social distancing during the pandemic. Thanks in part to a generous grant from the Kim Foundation, The Salvation Army’s Community Counseling Center and Wellspring program have continued to provide critical behavioral health support via TheraNest, a comprehensive, HIPAA-compliant, cloud-based records system with a built-in telehealth feature that allows clients to benefit from therapy within the privacy and safety of their own homes. Telehealth has become the standard for providing healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the TheraNest platform has provided an essential therapeutic service for those struggling in isolation.
Because the Community Counseling Center and Wellspring serve individuals who have little to no income, are typically uninsured and often live below the poverty threshold, many do not have access to reliable transportation or childcare. TheraNest has enabled mental health professionals to reach some of the most vulnerable people in our community in the most efficient and safest way possible during this challenging time, which has resulted in an increased rate of continuance in client participation.
With the pandemic showing no sign of diminishing any time soon, The Salvation Army is committed to providing help and hope to those struggling with depression, anxiety and other mental health issues. For more information about The Salvation Army’s behavioral health programs, please visit our webpage.