Our Health Awareness and Prevention Services integrates care for the physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual needs of each person in order to strengthen natural healing ability. We offer a variety of programs designed to help people deal with diseases or other health conditions in which stress is proven to be a factor. These programs are specifically planned for the following individuals:

• People with chronic medical problems that are caused or complicated by stress.
• People whose general health can be improved by changes in lifestyle.
• People who are about to undergo or are currently undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
• People who are about to undergo major surgery or an invasive procedure as well as post-operative patients.

Each program is designed to:

• Impart information to help people understand the mind/body interaction and reaction to stress.
• Teach skills that empower people to fully participate in their care.
• Engender a shift in attitude, which allows each person to view life in a more open, positive way and with a renewed sense of vigor and purpose.
• Monitor and treat people with medical symptoms to reduce their intensity, frequency and interference with daily activities.

Our Vision
Rooted in our Catholic Health Ministry, by the year 2002, we will be known as the leading healthcare system in providing compassionate and innovative care for the whole person. Through our employees and in collaboration with our physicians and other partners, we will seek to improve the health of our community. This program is supported by the Bon Secours DePaul Health Foundation, the Bon Secours Maryview Foundation, and the Mary Immaculate Foundation.

Who Will Benefit?
The medical conditions that respond to the mind/body approach to healthcare include but are not limited to:

• headaches
• chronic pain
• pain syndromes, such as muscle/joint pain, arthritis, back pain, etc.
• cancer
• insomnia/sleep disorders
• gastrointestinal disorders
• anxiety-related symptoms, such as palpitations or shortness of breath
• hypertension
• menopause symptoms
• chronic fatigue
• other chronic diseases or symptoms complicated by stress

Program Treatment
Approach & Goals
The programs empower people to become actively involved in their health care. This treatment approach allows participants to achieve results which:

• better manage chronic illness
• reduce adverse symptoms
• increase coping skills
• modify adverse lifestyle behaviors

We utilize a multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, exercise experts, nutritionists and program facilitators. This team helps each person learn the skills needed to achieve the goals noted above and restore a sense of control and vitality to their lives.

Core Components of the Program
Each program includes the following core components:

• stress management and relaxation response techniques
• physical activity
• nutritional management
• cognitive therapies

In addition, each program begins with an initial assessment and concludes with an evaluation, goal setting and the development of strategies for maintaining the new positive lifestyle.

For a listing of Class Offerings, click here.

For More Information
If you would like additional information, please call (757) 889-2273.

"The mind is the surface of the heart, the heart the depth of the mind."