Behavioral Health & Impact
Supporting our community’s health means many things, from building state of the art medical facilities to funding patient-centered programs to offering innovative training, education, and support to our region’s SSM Health care workers. For both SSM Health caregivers and their patients, access to compassionate mental and behavioral health care is crucial.
Nearly one in five people in the United States lives with a mental or behavioral health condition. That means that, today, thousands of our friends, loved ones, and neighbors depend on the availability, consistency, and quality of behavioral health care. By working together, we can make sure they have it.
Your gift to SSM Health Foundation – St. Louis Behavioral Health efforts support:
- Counseling services
- Addiction recovery and other patient-centered programs
- Caregiver relief and support
- Innovative behavioral health training and education
- And more
Behavioral Health In Depth
We strive to provide compassionate and exceptional care to our patients and their families.
Patient & Caregiver Impact: Behavioral Health
Schwartz Rounds for Employees
When Tom Bushlack, Ph.D., Regional Director of Mission Integration for SSM Health St. Louis began researching moral distress prevalent among health care providers, he came across Schwartz Rounds—grand rounds style events that focus on a case or a theme related to the emotional impact of patient care that care team members experience. Recognizing that moral distress was a key component of caregiver burnout, and all-too-aware that health care crisis situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, exacerbate caregiver burnout, he felt compelled to bring the Schwartz Rounds concept to SSM healthcare system. “I wanted to support the caregivers during this time of extreme stress,” he shared. The SSM Health Foundation’s Urgent Response Fund helped to provide 20 SSM employees system-wide to be trained in this method and one year of system-wide membership to allow the ministries to offer Schwartz Rounds. This unique methodology will contribute to the wellbeing of providers and allow for the processing of complex emotions during difficult times in health care.
“Being a part of SSM is personal. The care and compassion they provided to my family was really helpful during a time I needed it most.”
“SSM really listens to us. Because their mission is grounded in the same mission that I think the core values are of a loving family. Their mission is that the patient’s comfort and healing come first.”
“Everyone did really well as a team during my stay in labor and delivery. And my babies were cared for very well in the NICU. I would recommend this hospital to anyone in the world. Thank you for a great and comfortable stay and for always caring for my needs.”
“It was a scary moment, but they were there with us…not only to take care of my wife, but also – all of us family members. With certain protocols in place, I didn’t think my wife would be here. I hate to imagine if she would have been hospitalized somewhere else.”
“The people of SSM Health made me feel like I was going to survive when I didn’t believe it myself. I really believe they are the reason I am here today. SSM is my guardian angel.”
“SSM Health care workers often see their work as a calling rather than just a profession. I am glad that they feel called, because otherwise they wouldn’t be able to do everything they need to do to support these patients…it has been all hands-on deck, and they have really risen to the challenge and done so cheerfully because they do think it is a calling. They’re the ones in the room where difficult conversations are held. And sometimes they’re the ones holding the hands of patients as they’re passing into the next world.”
“To show our appreciation for the exceptional care and compassion I received from the nurses, doctors, and staff at SSM Health, we have chosen to make a gift in their honor through your ‘Honor Your Caregiver’ program. I hope you, too, will join me in showing your appreciation for the phenomenal care you received.”
“My care at SSM Health Rehabilitation was beyond medical. From start to finish, the therapists paid attention to all of my needs and cared for me as if I were a family member. They restored my strength and my mobility — things I need in my chosen profession as a golf pro. I’m grateful for them, and it’s an experience that I will never forget.”
