Success Story: May 2025
Topic: Mental Health
CHW: Chris Trieff
The Impact of Community Health Workers on Mental Health Services
Community Health Workers (CHWs) at Access Health see the need for mental health services each day as they help people in Stark County. CHWs are trained in mental health first aid and connect clients to services as needed based on a depression screening. This depressions screening tool is done at initial visits and sets the baseline for mental health.
Recently, Chris Trieff modeled how a CHW can make a difference for a client’s mental health. At their first meeting, this client scored very high on the depression screening tool and Chris immediately called and made an appointment for the client to see a therapist. She was able to get the client in to see a counselor within ten days.
Chris didn’t stop there. Knowing her client didn’t have anyone to support them, she met them at the appointment. Chris helped her client fill out the paperwork, and waited until it was done, reducing the anxiety surrounding the visit. The client has continued to receive mental health services, completing three additional appointments on their own.
A follow-up depression screening tool was done a few months later and the client score was reduced by more than half. Chris has continued to meet with this client and is the ‘personal cheerleader’ they need. Chris reported the satisfaction of seeing her client realize they didn’t have to do things on their own and that it was ok to get help. Community Health Workers are trusted advocates who improve their clients’ mental health.