Delivery of Telehealth Complementary and Integrated Health Interventions Improves Mental Health and Overall Wellness to Broaden Veterans' Access to Care

Background: Complementary and integrative health (CIH) interventions show promise in improving overall wellness and engaging Veterans at risk of suicide.Methods: An intensive 4-week telehealth CIH intervention programming was delivered motivated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and outcomes were measured pre-post program completion.Results: With 93% program completion (121 Veterans), significant reduction in depression and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms were observed pre-post telehealth CIH programing, but not in sleep quality. Improvements in pain symptoms, and stress management skills were observed in Veterans at risk of suicide.Discussion: Telehealth CIH interventions show promise in improving mental health symptoms among at-risk Veterans, with great potential to broaden access to care toward suicide prevention.

Automated summary

This study found that telehealth complementary and integrative health interventions show promise in improving mental health symptoms among Veterans, especially in reducing depression and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. In addition, this intervention also helps improve pain symptoms and stress management skills.