5.9.2024 CCACC Health Center participated in the SSPC Annual Meeting

On April 18th, Dr. Xiaoping Shao (Psychiatrist), Dr. Yao-Yao Zhu (Internist), and Ms. Kate Lu (Director of CCACC Health Center & Clinical Social Worker), the three key figures behind CCACC Health Center's "Mental Health 360" project, were invited to attend the Society for Study of Psychiatry and Culture (SSPC) Annual Meeting held in Toronto, Canada. During this conference, the CCACC Health Center team shared their experiences in mental health services, focusing on integrating mental health concerns for patients and community residents into the daily operations of CCACC Health Center.

The "Mental Health 360" project is dedicated to addressing the hidden concerns surrounding mental health issues within the Asian American community and addressing the severe shortage of mental health professionals. The project's professional team includes psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, and psychotherapists, who provide comprehensive mental health services to those in need. Additionally, CCACC Health Center actively engages in community mental health services, such as the "PEARLS Program," which offers psychological counseling and resource guidance to elderly individuals living alone in the community. After participating in this program, many seniors have experienced a significant reduction in depressive symptoms and an improvement in their quality of life.

CCACC Health Center offers the "Integrated Chronic Care Management (ICCM)" program specifically tailored for patients with chronic illnesses. The program recruits seasoned healthcare professionals, including retired nurses, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists. Together with physicians and nurses, they provide medical consultations and discuss treatment plans for patients. Additionally, the program hosts regular workshops on chronic disease prevention and management, offering disease management education to patients. These efforts effectively guide patients in coping with and addressing the negative emotions associated with chronic illnesses.

CCACC Health Center's presentation at the conference attracted significant attention from attendees who are concerned about the mental health of the Asian community. Through this showcase, we gained a deeper understanding of the experiences and insights of mental health professionals from around the world. Attendees unanimously expressed the need for collective collaboration to provide more high-quality research and service solutions for Asian mental health.

(Article by Ms. Kate Lu, the Director of CCACC Health Center)

The three key figures behind CCACC Health Center's "Mental Health 360" project. From the left to the right: Ms. Kate Lu (Director of CCACC Health Center & Clinical Social Worker), Dr. Xiaoping Shao (Psychiatrist), Dr. Yao-Yao Zhu (Internist).

Dr. Yao-Yao Zhu introduced CCACC Health Center to the attendees.

Ms. Kate Lu shared her experiences with the medical service projects.