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. 

09/2024

Access Health hosted its September quarterly training with special guest speaker Mike Gallina from Aultcare. Mike is the Vice President of Organizational Development and Community Engagement and delivered a powerful motivating message. Our staff are pictured working through a puzzle activity that engaged our team working skills and challenged us to think about successful and significant teams. Our best is your best!

06/13/2024

We are thrilled to support United Way’s Strong Neighborhoods, Strong Families initiative.
Together we can inspire and create brighter futures for students like Skye.
Cindy Linger, our Executive Director, is pictured with Skye from Gibbs Elementary.

06/01/2024

A free community event, the Grab, Go, & Grow Baby Shower, was held June 1 at the Eric Snow YMCA. Expecting parents and those with young children were invited to attend.

Access Health Community Health Workers (CHWs) provided safe sleep education and engaged attendees with a pinwheel game. Staff explained the benefits and perks of having a CHW from pregnancy to the baby’s first birthday.

The shower was co-hosted by the Community Action Pathways HUB and Head Start programs at Stark County Community Action Agency.