Roxbury, Mass.-based Whittier Street Health Center has now added behavioral health and substance abuse screenings to its Mobile Unit outreach program.
The Mobile Health Program now has four health vans that offer depression and substance abuse screenings, according to a March 1 news release. It also has a depression safety protocol for individuals who score positive for suicidality and offers resources such as the Early Support in Recovery drop-in program for anyone who scores positive for substance abuse.
"People dealing with mental health and substance misuse issues often seclude themselves, further impacting their self-esteem, relationships, resilience and more," Frederica Williams, president and CEO of Whittier Street Health Center, said in the release. "Our Mobile Health Program was created to go directly to those who need our help."
The program was initially designed to offer primary care services to close the gaps in life expectancies for low-income communities of color and immigrant populations.