Alternative Mental Health Care
an Effective Complement to Conventional Therapy 

The ReConnect EISOA Program strives to incorporate the whole person approach to deliver integrative mental health services to older adults in Orange County. The program employs holistic strategies alongside traditional therapeutic and psychiatry interventions to improve the overall wellbeing of participants. Our alternative mental health care practices focus on the intrinsic relationship between body, mind, and spirit; with the goal of addressing mental health symptoms while simultaneously supporting physical and emotional wellness.

Our support groups (art therapy, equestrian therapy, exercise/fitness classes, meditation, and culturally based groups among others) are an effective channel to deliver holistic interventions to our older adult participants, and to improve their overall health outcomes. This was certainly the case for LC, a 75-year-old Chinese American widow who came to the program exhibiting symptoms of depression due to debilitating isolation exacerbated by the pandemic which led to profound feelings of loneliness.

At first, as it often happens with behavioral health offerings, she was reluctant to participate in support groups. She was not motivated to meet new people or join group activities. Respecting her decision, our bilingual and bicultural Mandarin speaking Support Group Leader started calling her on a weekly basis to check in, monitor her wellbeing, and build rapport. After a few months, she decided to take a change and attended one of our support groups.  To her surprise, during the activity, LC realized that several participants in the group were not only her peers but were also her neighbors. They too had been experiencing hardship during the pandemic. She felt connected and understood.  She was not alone at last.

After her first experience, LC started participating more often in support groups and has become one of the most active members of the program’s group activities tailored to Chinese American participants. She regained motivation, befriended other participants, and started frequenting them beyond the activities organized by the program. Our support groups provided a bridge to connect her with her community.

In her own words:

“As an immigrant not too long ago, I experienced much culture shock. While my home country has a collective approach to senior living, the culture here in the US is very independent. I felt disconnected and lonely, especially after my husband passed away. I was dealing with some very negative emotions during the pandemic. After coming to your support groups, I felt part of society. I found my community. Most importantly, I feel my life is meaningful again”

To participate in ReConnect group activities visit our website Calendar – Council on Aging – Southern California – COASC