Version 1
: Received: 1 May 2023 / Approved: 2 May 2023 / Online: 2 May 2023 (05:28:57 CEST)
How to cite:
VanHorssen, B.L.; Andrews, T.; Lee, G. Evaluating the Benefits of a Novel Community-based Social Engagement Organization for Improving Mental Health and Reducing Clinical Visits. Preprints2023, 2023050061. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202305.0061.v1
VanHorssen, B.L.; Andrews, T.; Lee, G. Evaluating the Benefits of a Novel Community-based Social Engagement Organization for Improving Mental Health and Reducing Clinical Visits. Preprints 2023, 2023050061. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202305.0061.v1
VanHorssen, B.L.; Andrews, T.; Lee, G. Evaluating the Benefits of a Novel Community-based Social Engagement Organization for Improving Mental Health and Reducing Clinical Visits. Preprints2023, 2023050061. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202305.0061.v1
APA Style
VanHorssen, B.L., Andrews, T., & Lee, G. (2023). Evaluating the Benefits of a Novel Community-based Social Engagement Organization for Improving Mental Health and Reducing Clinical Visits. Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202305.0061.v1
Chicago/Turabian Style
VanHorssen, B.L., Travis Andrews and Gloria Lee. 2023 "Evaluating the Benefits of a Novel Community-based Social Engagement Organization for Improving Mental Health and Reducing Clinical Visits" Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202305.0061.v1
Abstract
Cost-effective community engagement is needed to address causes of mental illness related to social issues (i.e. isolation, stigma and lack of purpose) that are typically outside the scope of healthcare. This pilot study evaluated the relationship between clinical healthcare resources and a community-based social engagement organization in a medium-sized community in the midwestern US. Analyses were based on a retrospective longitudinal comparison of clinical visit frequency from two cohorts that joined the Momentum Center for Social Engagement (MC) and either frequently participated (Engaged; n = 9) or had extenuating circumstances limiting participation (Non-engaged; n = 3). The frequency of >1800 visits to the member’s primary mental healthcare provider were compared during the period from November 2016 - May 2021. Engaged MC members reduced frequency of regular visits to their primary mental healthcare provider by 50%, while Non-engaged MC members maintained clinical visit frequency. The financial value of reduced healthcare visits and associated wellbeing improvements was estimated to be $1.0 million, 95% CI: [$0.6-1.4 million], or roughly four times the budget received by the MC from the healthcare provider. Thus, the MC appears to be a valuable approach to improving mental health in conjunction with existing community healthcare services. Clinical implications include considering the unique MC-style community-based support as a component of practice.
Keywords
Social engagement; social rehabilitation; community-based; financial analysis; Momentum Center
Subject
Public Health and Healthcare, Public Health and Health Services
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
