August 9th to the 15th is National Health Center Week. While this is an annual celebration, 2020 is an important time to celebrate the health centers and professionals working so hard to fight COVID-19. This year’s theme is “Community Health Centers: Lighting the Way for Healthier Communities Today and in the Future.”
COVID-19 has caused our collective mental health to suffer and has increased rates of addiction. The virus takes a particular toll on people with chronic illnesses—especially if those people don’t have access to quality healthcare to help manage their symptoms. The pandemic has reminded us about inequities in that access, which disproportionately affect People of Color and low-income communities.
Health Centers play a part in solving these systemic issues. Many offer support for mental health and Substance Use Disorders. Health centers often provide quality care for people who might not otherwise have access.
As the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) puts it, “Health centers deliver care to the nation’s most vulnerable individuals and families, including people experiencing homelessness, agricultural workers, residents of public housing, and the nation’s veterans.” The best health centers not only provide medical care, but become solid and dependable members of their communities.
2018 HRSA data found that 93% of health centers met Healthy People 2020 goals—science-based objectives for improving Americans’ health. 99% improved on one or more quality measurements.
Amatus Health is proud to share the same qualities as many community health centers. We are a healthcare system serving communities around the country, and are deeply attuned to specific needs in each area we serve. We offer the full continuum of addiction-related and mental health treatment, healthcare, and business services to help other healthcare systems have the greatest impact. We hope to be part of—as the week’s theme states—“lighting the way for healthier communities” in the wider healthcare world.
It’s a nice time to bring some light to what has been a dark year. This week, think about honoring both community health centers and individual medical professionals. Try googling “how can I donate to healthcare workers COVID-19?” or “how can I help healthcare workers COVID-19?”
The lists of ideas are endless. You can buy meals for medical professionals, donate supplies like hand sanitizer, or donate money to one of countless funds. If you do those searches + your city or town, you can help local healthcare workers. National Health Centers Week is a good reminder that health centers and professionals are an integral part of thriving communities.
If you are struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder, there is hope. TruHealing Centers is open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, with hospital-grade sanitization of our facilities and telehealth options. At our facilities across the country, we will help you build a life in long-term recovery. To find out more, call an admissions specialist at 410-593-0005.