April is Stress Awareness Month, and managing stress effectively involves a combination of strategies. Community Health Centers (CHCs) are leading the way in providing essential mental health services and support through holistic wellness programs to the 32.5 million Americans they serve each year. CHCs are uniquely positioned to support patients – many of whom face significant barriers to accessing healthcare – through comprehensive, person-centered approaches. These holistic wellness programs promote physical, emotional, and mental well-being by offering resources such as nutrition counseling, fitness classes, mindfulness workshops, behavioral health services, and support groups—helping individuals build resilience and maintain balance in their daily lives.
Stress is a natural part of life, but when stress becomes chronic, it can lead to serious health issues such as anxiety, depression, and cardiovascular diseases. Understanding the prevalence of stress can help us address the impact of stress more effectively. For instance, a report from 2020-2024 noted that 75% of U.S. adults report experiencing moderate to high levels of stress regularly and 34% feel completely overwhelmed by stress on most days.
Understanding the impact of non-clinical factors on health and stress
Moreover, the connection between non-clinical factors of health and stress management is crucial. Non-clinical factors affecting health, such as economic stability, access to quality education, and safe living environments, have a profound impact on an individual’s overall health (up to 80%).
CHCs play a pivotal role in addressing these factors by providing resources and support that help mitigate the underlying causes of stress. They help patients manage stress through a variety of services, including mental health counseling, support groups, and wellness programs that promote physical activity, healthy eating, and mindfulness. Through this holistic approach, CHCs not only improve mental health outcomes but also enhance overall well-being and quality of life for individuals and families in the community.
How Sun River Health and La Clínica del Pueblo help patients with stress
To address stress effectively, Sun River Health in New York City provides a range of mental health interventions, including consultations, communal support, and health enhancement practices.
Their philosophy is clear: “Being healthy shouldn’t be a privilege for a few; being healthy is a right for all.” By prioritizing comprehensive care, these centers are making a significant impact on the well-being of their communities.
Similarly, La Clínica del Pueblo in Washington, D.C., focuses on contextually competent care, providing mental health services tailored to the needs of their community. La Clínica del Pueblo offers an array of dynamic programs and strategies to tackle mental health and substance use challenges, with a strong focus on stress management. Their mental health treatment services provide bilingual, culturally competent therapy for individuals, couples, and groups, addressing issues like trauma, depression, PTSD, and dual diagnoses.
The behavioral health integration program seamlessly combines behavioral health and primary care services, with mental health therapists embedded in the primary care team for immediate screening and assessments.
One of their innovative and dynamic offerings is telemental health services, which leverage secure videoconferencing to provide mental health consultations—breaking down barriers and expanding access to care in underserved communities. The psychoeducational in-person group intervention program, such as “Mi Familia,” provides family counseling and group sessions to enhance communication and stress management.
The substance use treatment program, “Volviendo a Vivir,” delivers bilingual substance use treatment, including counseling, support groups, and HIV testing and education. By prioritizing these approaches, La Clínica del Pueblo is helping individuals lead healthier, more balanced lives.
CHCs as trusted anchors in advancing whole-person care. Their commitment to addressing the root causes of stress through whole-person care services is not only transforming individual lives—it’s strengthening entire communities.
This Stress Awareness Month, let’s honor their impact by advocating, collaborating, and taking meaningful steps to support mental wellness for all.