Mountain Family Health Centers offers comprehensive primary care for all ages. Our services include women’s health, prenatal and pediatric care, men’s health, senior care, cancer screenings, dental care, behavioral health support, and more.
Beginning in October 2024, our behavioral health providers will be available full-time at our Glenwood Springs, Basalt, and Rifle clinics as part of our primary care team. For our other clinics, we will advise care teams as we work to staff each location with a full-time behavioral health provider.
In this new model, behavioral health providers will work closely with primary care teams to address patients’ mental health needs. They will offer consultations during medical appointments and brief, solution-focused follow-up sessions. They will also connect patients with appropriate ongoing care resources outside our clinics. This model allows us to support patients in many ways, including collaborative treatment of complex health issues, connecting patients with community resources, and crisis intervention, thus improving their overall health and well-being.
Here are the benefits of this approach:
- Improved Access to Care: Integrated care reduces barriers to mental health services by providing care in familiar settings, making it easier for patients to access services. This approach is especially beneficial for those reluctant to seek specialized mental health care due to stigma or logistical challenges like transportation and scheduling conflicts. Source: Crowley, R., et al. (2015). “Integration of Care for People with Mental Illness.” American College of Physicians.
- Enhanced Coordination and Communication: Integrated care ensures better communication between primary care providers and mental health professionals, leading to more coordinated and comprehensive care plans. This coordination helps manage complex cases and ensures that mental and physical health issues are addressed simultaneously, leading to improved outcomes.
Source: Nardone, M., Snyder, S., & Paradise, J. (2014). “Integrating Physical and Behavioral Health Care: Promising Medicaid Models.” The Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured.
- Improved Patient Outcomes: Patients in integrated care settings often experience better overall health outcomes, including reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety, improved chronic disease management, and better adherence to treatment plans. The integrated model supports early identification and intervention, which can prevent conditions from worsening. Source: Archer, J., et al. (2012). “Collaborative Care for Depression and Anxiety Problems.” Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Integrated behavioral healthcare can reduce healthcare costs by decreasing emergency room visits, hospital admissions, and unnecessary tests. By addressing mental health issues early and in conjunction with physical health care, the model prevents costly complications that arise from untreated mental health conditions. Source: Miller, B. F., et al. (2017). “Enhancing Primary Care by Bringing Behavioral Health Services into the Care Team.” American Psychologist.