Courtesy of United Way of Utah County
An undated handout photo from United Way of Utah County EveryDay Strong.
With the number of Americans being diagnosed with mental health issues on the rise, Intermountain Healthcare announced Tuesday that its local hospitals have donated more than $600,000 to nonprofits supporting behavioral health this year.
Intermountain American Fork Hospital, Orem Community Hospital, Spanish Fork Hospital, and Utah Valley Hospital have all contributed financially to support initiatives related to behavioral health needs, social determinants of health, scholarships and scholarships. studies and health care screenings for underserved populations.
“We know how our mental well-being plays a role in our physical health,” Kyle Hansen, administrator of Intermountain Utah Valley Hospital, said in a press release. “More than ever, attention to behavioral health must continue to grow.”
IHC recently completed a three-year pilot study under the Alliance for Determinants of Health on the social determinants of health, including food insecurity, transportation, and housing issues.
According to the Alliance for Determinants of Health website, these non-medical determinants of health are thought to account for 60% of all health outcomes. The results of this study are currently the subject of independent research.
IHC developed and contributed to a relationship with the United Way of Utah County’s EveryDay Strong program, which was designed to be a new approach to anxiety and depression in children and young adults.
EveryDay Strong provides resources for parents or other adults to guide children through mental health challenges by helping them feel safe, connected and confident.
“We are extremely grateful for the support of Intermountain Healthcare for the children and young people in our community who are experiencing difficulties. With their support, we can equip parents and teachers with resources to help our young people become more resilient,” United Way of Utah County President and CEO Bill Hulterstrom said in a press release.
By focusing on emotional struggles like sadness, stress and anxiety, lack of concentration, worry and hopelessness, EveryDay Strong can empower adults to intervene in a child’s life before these issues do not become serious.
“We see young people struggling with mental health issues almost daily in our facilities. EveryDay Strong provides vital resources to parents, teachers and other adults who work to strengthen the youth in our communities,” said Jason Wilson, Administrator of Intermountain American Fork Hospital, in a press release.
IHC Hospitals of Utah County also made donations to the following local organizations this year:
- Utah Community Health Association
- Brigham Young University
- Mountainland Technical College
- Utah Domestic Violence Coalition (which supports Healing Pathways and The Refuge)
- Utah Valley University
- Wasatch Sanity
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