An ICHS Patient Story
A few weeks ago, I met Nanshen, a 21-year-old ICHS patient who wanted to share his story.
When he was a teenager, Nanshen struggled with managing his emotions and opening up to people. He had been seeing therapists and taking medications when he lived in China, but the doctors often tried to “fix” his symptoms and correct him when he shared how he felt. This ultimately made him feel stuck.
In 2022, 17-year-old Nanshen moved to Seattle with his family, and they only had access to family member resources while navigating life in this new country. So, when Nanshen’s uncle recommended ICHS, he reluctantly agreed to go.
It proved to be a life-changing decision because at ICHS, Nanshen met Jia Yin Lee, ICHS behavioral health specialist.
Jia Yin speaks Mandarin fluently. She actively listened to Nanshen, sidestepping a language barrier that he otherwise would have encountered. She treated him as a human, not a list of symptoms. “She never tried to lead our conversations or judge what I said,” Nanshen shared, “She always listened to me and shared insightful feedback that helped me better understand myself.”
However, many people in King County aren't able to access this kind of health service. More than 12% of adults in King County report being unable to access needed mental healthcare because of cost. For many families, those financial barriers are compounded by language, income, and the challenge of finding care that feels culturally understood and accessible.
That is why receiving care at ICHS mattered so much to Nanshen. Now, four years later, Nanshen continues to receive behavioral health services at ICHS and says he feels healthier, more confident, and more comfortable in who he is today.
Your support helps make care like this possible for patients like Nanshen. Will you make a gift to ICHS today?
His story really captures what is special about ICHS. Our mission, made possible through our incredible staff, is to provide affordable and accessible integrated care, which means teaming behavioral health and medical care providers together. Because we believe that true health is more than just the absence of physical illness, but the presence of peace of mind.
“During my time at ICHS as a behavioral health specialist, I've witnessed significant changes in the quality of life of my patients with the ability to access comprehensive care through their care team,” said Jia Yin. “Being able to provide language-congruent services to our patients helps alleviate a great barrier to accessing quality healthcare.”
This is who we are. But right now, ICHS is facing one of our steepest challenges.
With recent federal changes to the healthcare landscape, including the implementation of H.R. 1, many of our patients’ insurance eligibility has shifted overnight. In King County alone, public health officials estimate that over 215,000 residents are expected to lose coverage.
However, as a federally qualified health center, ICHS stands firm in caring for everyone who walks through our doors, regardless of their ability to pay or insurance status.
Even as patients lose their medical insurance, they don’t stop needing healthcare services or medications. Decisions outside of our control have drastically increased the demand for our uncompensated care fund, also known as the charity care fund, which covers the cost of healthcare services for patients who otherwise cannot afford them.
Patients like Nanshen, who have had life-changing care.
“I feel like I’ve become a much better version of myself,” Nanshen said. “I want to continue my sessions with ICHS so that I can continue to get better and reach my full potential.”
A donation to ICHS is an investment in our patients, so that they can continue to get free and low-cost health services that they need.
“ICHS has become a safe place for our patients to receive quality healthcare as they continue to experience the undivided attention and compassion from the staff and care team,” said Jia Yin. “The support that we get from the community is our strongest backup for us to be able to be present with the populations that we serve!”
Will You Make a Gift to ICHS Today and Invest in the Wellbeing of Our Communities?
“I hope that by sharing my story, more people can support ICHS because of how important ICHS is to others that may also be struggling.” — Nanshen.
I am grateful to Nanshen for trusting us to share his story, and I am grateful to you, our donors, who help make this vital care possible.
Thank you for standing with ICHS and the patients and families we serve.
Sincerely,
P.S. Your gift to ICHS helps support access to affordable care for patients who may otherwise face financial barriers to getting the healthcare they need. If you are able, please make a gift today.