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

Abstract

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.