Focus on Mental and Behavioral Health

October 6 – 12 is Mental Health Awareness Week. According to estimates, in the United States each year, one in four people experience a behavioral health disorder, which encompasses both mental illness and substance abuse disorders. In addition, a majority of people with behavioral health disorders have a comorbid physical condition. Many hospitals and health care systems are working to integrate behavioral health and primary care to improve patient outcomes. St. Charles Health System in Bend, OR , is integrating behavioral health and focusing on the Triple Aim: improved outcomes, reduced costs and a healthier population. Our Lady of Peace in Louisville, KY , has developed the Innovations Program to provide quality care to children and adolescents diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disabilities and behavioral disorders. Seton Shoal Creek Hospital in Austin, TX , is using telemedicine to address a demand for psychiatric doctors at other Seton hospitals, especially during overnight and weekend hours.
HPOE.org has information about these and other initiatives to address mental and behavioral health. Visit the AHA's Section for Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Services website at www.aha.org/psych. The recent AHA TrendWatch report “Bringing Behavioral Health into the Care Continuum: Opportunities to Improve Quality, Costs and Outcomes” also discusses integrating behavioral health.