Integration of Care: Reducing Barriers to Behavioral Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment
More than 16 years ago, the U.S. House of Representatives designated July as National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. Inspired by the work of author and minority mental health advocate Bebe Moore Campbell, the action aims to bring awareness to the challenges that historically underrepresented communities face managing diagnoses of mental illness.
Access to quality mental health care proves to be difficult for many individuals, even those with robust health insurance coverage. For historically underrepresented communities, the pursuit of mental health care is particularly challenging, especially when facing co-occurring behavioral health concerns such as mental illness and substance use disorders. Hospitals and health systems play an integral role in eliminating health disparities by increasing access to behavioral health care for marginalized populations.
Mary Thompson, president at Trillium Place and member of AHA’s Committee on Behavioral Health, shares her experience working in the largest mental health and addiction recovery organization in central Illinois. Trillium Place, affiliated with Carle Health, recently marked five years since the merging of two legacy community mental health centers to form one comprehensive behavioral health organization that offers a wide range of services, including inpatient, residential, outpatient, psychiatric and crisis care.
What changes can be attributed to integrating physical and behavioral health services, in terms of patient impact, access to care and improved outcomes?
Trillium Place works with clients to establish care and facilitate communication with primary care providers. A collaborative care model (CCM) is being discussed within the organization to further support psychiatric care in primary settings. The CCM is an evidence-based, integrated approach to health care that combines general and behavioral medical practices. The model fosters collaboration between primary care physicians, mental health practitioners and other specialists, integrating physical and mental health care within the same office. It emphasizes structured management tailored to individual patient needs, proactive follow-ups, and enhanced interprofessional communication.
What measures are being taken to break down barriers and improve access to care for historically underrepresented communities?
The organization works with individuals from community-based programs who face barriers in maintaining overall health. Team members accompany patients who are transitioning from inpatient care to community programs to ease the process, and foster rapport and trust between patients and providers. Providers work closely with patients who present to the emergency department and provide transition care to community-based programs if they are not admitted. This approach to individualized care increases both patients’ engagement in care and the likelihood of patients achieving and maintaining recovery.
What strategies have been implemented to increase workforce diversity?
Trillium Place works with local colleges and universities to offer internships for students who are pursuing a career in nursing, social work, psychology and counseling. The organization recently obtained a state grant to provide internships for students of color. Additionally, Trillium Place works with former patients who’ve graduated from their program, encouraging them to pursue peer support specialist roles.
Key Takeaways
By keeping patients at the center of all work and collaborating with key stakeholders, hospitals and health systems can address mental health concerns of their patient populations. Let this minority mental health month serve as a reminder to support historically underrepresented communities who face disproportionate challenges in addressing their mental health care needs.