Behavioral Health Integration

About 1 in 4 adults suffer from a mental health concern in a given year. Roughly half of mental health disorders start by age 15, and nearly 75% start by age 18. Behavioral health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders are among the most common and disabling health conditions worldwide, and have a significant impact on quality of life.  

Due to the associated stigma of these conditions and a shortage of mental health specialists, millions of people who have both medical and mental health needs do not receive the care they need. 

The good news is that there are effective treatments. CHA is helping patients by integrating behavioral health into our primary care centers.

Why do we offer mental health services in our primary care centers?

• It is often more convenient for patients
• Reduces the stigma associated with treatment for mental health conditions
• Builds on existing provider-patient relationships
• Helps patients cope with and manage their physical health conditions
• Makes a lasting impact on patients’ wellbeing
• Improves primary care providers’ ability to help patients

What to expect during your Primary Care visit?

CHA’s Primary Care Behavioral Health Integration (PCBHI) and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Integration (CAMHI) programs work together with teams and providers in Primary Care to comprehensively address patients’ needs. Using a collaborative care model, we offer a variety of services at our Primary Care sites for behavioral health concerns, including depression, anxiety, ADHD, behavioral concerns, alcohol and substance use disorders and chronic pain.

Services are customized according to patient needs and may include:

• Annual screening/assessment using evidence-based tools
• Collaboration with integrated behavioral health staff
• Self-management support - including helping patients and families understand these conditions, coaching around mood and behavior concerns, and introduction to useful behavioral health websites and smartphone apps
• Systematic patient tracking and regular outreach
• Goal-oriented therapy
• Psychiatric consultation, including prescribing medications
• Medications and counseling for alcohol/substance use
• Group therapies
• Peer support groups
• Close coordination with other CHA providers

Locations

There are now integrated behavioral health teams at every CHA Primary Care location. Please note that meeting with integrated behavioral health team members requires a referral or introduction from your or your child’s PCP. Your PCP may also refer you or your child to mental health treatment at another CHA site or outside of CHA, depending on need and availability.

Questions?

• Primary Care Patients: Contact your CHA Primary Care Provider to learn more about available services.
  
  
• To become a CHA Primary Care Patient: Please contact one of our Primary Care Centers (see list above) to schedule a new patient visit. 

• For behavioral health treatment, please contact your or the patient's Primary Care or Psychiatry office. For urgent needs, please call our Community Behavioral Health Center access line at 833-222-2030.

• To learn more about the Behavioral Health Integration program: Contact Emily Benedetto, Program Manager, at 617-591-4168.