$450K COVID Mental Health Study Under Way
The long-term health impacts from coronavirus are being studied by researchers and healthcare professionals around the world. Now, St. Luke’s Health System will join that important work to focus on mental health impacts of COVID-19 and evaluate which interventions are most effective.
St. Luke’s Behavioral Health and St. Luke’s Applied Research Division were awarded a $450,000 grant from Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) to investigate the toll COVID-19 can take on our emotional and mental well-being and compare the effectiveness of two caring contact interventions.
The title of the study is Mental Health Among Patients, Providers, and Staff (MHAPPS) in the COVID-19 era. St. Luke’s is partnering with the Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline and Empower Idaho (through Jannus Inc.), University of Washington, and a group of community members with lived experience with suicide to undertake this research. The primary goal of the study is to assess the level of mental distress in St. Luke’s providers, staff, and patients and to study the best way for health systems to provide help.
“The pandemic adds anxiety, disruption, financial hardship as well as isolation and loneliness due to social distancing and quarantine at a time when the United States was already experiencing a high prevalence of mental health conditions and increasing suicide rates. This may increase risk of suicide and can lead to or exacerbate other mental health conditions,” explained Anna K. Radin, DrPH, MPH, St. Luke’s Applied Research scientist.
“We are grateful to PCORI for awarding this important grant to St. Luke’s,” said Dr. Jim Souza, St. Luke’s chief medical officer. “This study will not only give us a better understanding of the risks and causes of the mental health challenges, but will also give us the chance to help by gathering scientific evidence on potential solutions for those providers, employees, and patients who are most impacted.”
East Fork Chimney Fire Burns Roof
Multiple Valley fire crews responded Monday evening to a call that an East Fork home’s roof was on fire after an apparent chimney malfunction. All occupants were able to safely remove themselves from the property before firefighters and ambulances arrived at the scene shortly after 6 p.m. Crews needed until midnight to clear the structure of any lingering flames and dangerous debris.
The blaze occurred in the 200 block of Canyon Road and is still under investigation as of press deadline Tuesday. The home may be determined a total loss, the Ketchum Rural Fire Department said.