The guide lays out a continuum of primary care and behavioral health integration, beginning with engaging individuals with severe mental illness in discussions about their physical health to full integration.
Behavioral health and physical health services are typically delivered by different providers in separate settings, often with little coordination or integration. Individuals with serious mental illness often experience significant physical health problems in addition to their existing behavioral health problems. They are at a greater risk for further or worsening health complications and yet may face more barriers in accessing physical health care. Increased integration and coordination between physical health and behavioral health care providers may help address the needs of individuals with serious mental illness.
This document, Approaches to Integrating Physical Health Services into Behavioral Health Organizations, lays out a continuum of primary care and behavioral health integration, beginning with engaging individuals with severe mental illness in discussions about their physical health to full integration.
Click here to view the concept guide.