Behavioral Health into Primary Care

Recent studies indicate that one in five U.S. children and adolescents experience mental health problems. Because 75 percent of children with diagnosed mental health disorders are seen in primary care settings, pediatricians and other primary care providers are often in a position of having to address social, emotional and behavioral issues presented by their patients. Integration models seek to bring mental health expertise into the primary care practice both through having mental health consultants on site and through training primary care staff to be able to recognize, assess, and provide appropriate referrals to help their patients who have mental health needs.

Implications for Project LAUNCH

A recent report from the National Institute for Health Care Management described three models for integrating behavioral health into primary care that range from consultation to co-location of services to intensive collaboration. Although each of these models or combinations of them is being implemented in various degrees across the country, widespread adoption of any of them is hampered by regulation and funding restrictions.

Because of their charge to integrate behavioral health programs into pediatric practices in their local communities, Project LAUNCH grantees have a wonderful opportunity to test integration models over a five-year period. In the process, they will help to inform the national discussion by addressing such questions as the following:

• What changes in state Medicaid and private insurance reimbursement policies can be made to support mental health and behavioral services in primary care more effectively?
• What additional pre- and in-service training would better prepare primary care providers in supporting young children with mental health concerns?
• How can primary care providers better coordinate with early intervention, early education programs, and other service providers involved in a child’s life?

To learn more, read the interview on this page that tells how one Project LAUNCH project is supporting the integration of mental health into primary care in its community.