Hope, Healing & Mental Health: A Duffy Health Center Story
Each May, we recognize Mental Health Awareness Month – a time to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and encourage open conversations about mental and emotional well-being.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, it is estimated that more than 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. live with a mental illness. Yet, many still suffer in silence due to fear of judgment or lack of access to care.
People experiencing homelessness are significantly more likely to face mental health challenges such as depression and substance use disorders. The daily trauma of living without stable shelter only deepens these struggles, and while the need for care is urgent, the barriers to accessing it can make recovery feel out of reach.
At Duffy Health Center, they are reminded daily that mental health challenges are deeply intertwined with housing insecurity.
WHY DUFFY MATTERS
In an area where the cost of living continues to rise and affordable housing remains scarce, Duffy Health Center has played a critical role in health equity for over 30 years. It is, in essence, a lifeline – a one-stop shop where patients are treated with compassion and respect, regardless of their circumstances or ability to pay.
Today, Duffy provides comprehensive healthcare to more than 3,200 homeless and unstably housed individuals in the Cape Cod region.
ONE-STOP SHOP FOR COMPREHENSIVE CARE
Healthcare should be centered on the unique needs of each individual, especially during their most vulnerable moments. That’s the mission of Duffy Health Center, a nonprofit federally qualified health center (FQHC) committed to serving individuals who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of becoming homeless.
Duffy Health Center provides a comprehensive, integrated approach to care. This means patients can access a wide range of services all in one place, including:
• Primary Medical Care
• Behavioral Health Services
• Substance Use Disorder Treatment
• Housing Case Management
• Spiritual Care
• Referrals to partner providers
SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS THAT MEET REAL NEEDS
Duffy goes beyond traditional healthcare with programs tailored to specific populations, including:
• REACH Mobile Unit
• In From the Streets
• Medical Respite
• Moms Do Care
• RecoveryBuild
These services underscore Duffy’s belief that health is more than just treating illness – it’s about restoring dignity, trust, and hope. And bringing these services under one roof, Duffy reduces the barriers that often prevent individuals from getting the care they need.
HIGH-QUALITY MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
Duffy Health Center’s behavioral health team is an essential part of its integrated care model, working closely with medical providers and case managers to ensure that each patient receives support for both their physical and emotional well-being.
This compassionate team helps individuals identify and manage mental health challenges with the goal of empowering them to lead healthier, more stable, and fulfilling lives.
Core Services Include:
- Individual and Group Counseling: Licensed therapists offer personalized therapy sessions, working in tandem with patients’ primary care providers and case managers to support overall health goals.
- Outpatient Psychiatric Services: Psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners provide evaluations, medication management, and ongoing psychiatric care.
- Bridge Program: In partnership with Cape Cod Healthcare, this initiative supports individuals transitioning from inpatient mental health facilities to community-based care, facilitating continuity and reducing readmission rates.
- Pathways to Hope: A suicide prevention program offering immediate, compassionate support to individuals expressing suicidal ideation, integrating them into ongoing care plans.
- In-Reach at Barnstable County Correctional Facility: Therapists provide mental health support to incarcerated individuals, aiding their transition back into the community post-release.
- Court Evaluations: Qualified therapists conduct court-ordered mental health assessments, contributing to informed judicial decisions.
FINDING HER WAY BACK TO JOY: A STORY OF STRENGTH & SUPPORT
Several years ago, a woman fleeing domestic violence was referred to Duffy Health Center for support. She had endured deep emotional pain and faced the uncertainty of starting over. Through Duffy’s Spiritual Care services, she received guidance and comfort as she transitioned into safe, temporary housing. She was also encouraged to connect with the Behavioral Health team as the path to healing would require strong, integrated support.
Not long after, she experienced a devastating personal loss. In response, her care team, providers across multiple disciplines, wrapped around her, offering both clinical and emotional support. Spiritual care evolved into grief counseling. Behavioral Health helped her process trauma. Through every step, she was met with compassion and consistency.
Today, more than three years later, she is living independently in her own home. She recently shared a story about having her family over for dinner, playing wiffle ball with her grandchildren in the backyard, and ending the evening with ice cream. She said, “I’m happy. I had forgotten what it felt like to be happy. But for the first time in a long time, I feel happy.”
Her story is a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit, and the critical role compassionate care plays in helping people rediscover hope and joy.
HELP US TRANSFORM LIVES
Financial support is critical for Duffy Health Center to fulfill its vision of a community where everyone has access to quality healthcare, safe and stable housing, and lives filled with connection and purpose.
Year after year, Duffy Properties proudly supports Duffy Health Center in its mission to provide care and stability for Cape Cod’s most vulnerable residents.
Together, we can create a healthier Cape Cod. Join us in helping make care accessible to those who need it most.