Audrey Gressett came to the emergency room depressed, with suicidal thoughts. She also had uncontrolled diabetes. So much has changed since then thanks to a new program at Parkland.
The Acute Integrated Mental Health Services (AIMS) program was developed through a gift from The Meadows Foundation to meet the needs of patients with complex behavioral health and medical needs who are at risk of poor outcomes. National studies have shown that patients with behavioral health issues die on average 25 years younger than the average population, with the majority of deaths caused by chronic illnesses such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Through the AIMS program, Audrey received supportive psychotherapy to help with her depression while she also learned how to eat better, dropping her blood sugar to a manageable level. And after her AIMS social worker learned she likes to swim, she received a swimsuit and passes to swim in the pool at the Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation that is located near her home.
“Swimming helps with my depression, it relaxes me,” said Audrey. “I don’t think about my problems when I’m swimming.”
“This is an awesome program that will help a lot of people,” she added. “I’ve come a long way.”
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