HEARTS FOR  THE HOMELESS 

I first learned about H4H's mission of providing assistance to homeless populations around the US during senior year of my undergraduate studies. Not long after, I joined International and became a part of the Mental Health team in its infancy. Since then, we've worked hard to make mental health screenings a vital part of the H4H model, deploying diagnostic tests like the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 alongside our blood pressure screenings in the field. Mental illness has a high prevalence in homeless populations and is itself a huge risk factor to becoming homeless; it is vital that mental health screenings be provided for those that want further help and treatment in this category. Our team has provided trainings and resources to hand out during screenings, making sure our chapters are well equipped to deal with such cases when they arise. Through our various projects, we hope that we can play a role in destigmatizing mental health and expand access to mental treatments on par with any other disease. I am proud of both the work we've accomplished and of what lies ahead; and I couldn't be happier to have been there from the very start!