One in five U.S. adults experience a mental illness, yet more than half do not receive treatment. Improved models of care can increase access to high-quality care and the speed at which patients receive it.
Integrated behavioral health models, which embed mental health clinicians within primary and specialty care settings, streamline access to care. These models not only improve patient experiences and population health but also enhance provider well-being and reduce overall health care costs.
Mental health and chronic disease
Alongside the escalating mental health crisis, chronic diseases are becoming increasingly prevalent. More than one-third of Americans who have a mental illness also manage a chronic medical condition. For example, people with diabetes are up to three times more likely to experience depression, while individuals with depression are at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Depression complicates disease management and treatment adherence, leading to poorer outcomes and higher care costs. Research shows that individuals with both diabetes and depression face annual health care costs that are more than double those of people without either condition. This is just one example of how physical and mental health are intimately intertwined, highlighting the importance of a comprehensive approach to patient care.
The impact of whole-person care on patients and providers
Mental health challenges often surface during routine medical appointments. Up to 70 percent of primary care visits are related to mental health. Unfortunately, traditional approaches to connecting patients to behavioral health care often fall short. As a result, mental health needs go unmet, compromising overall well-being and driving up care costs through avoidable hospitalizations, emergency room visits and long-term care.
Conversely, when physical and mental health are treated together, patients have better outcomes and lower health care costs. The American Hospital Association highlighted instances where integrated care led to a 46 percent increase in depression screenings and treatment and a 22 percent reduction in care costs.
In addition to improving patient outcomes, studies show integrated care improves provider well-being; providers experience greater satisfaction seeing their patients receive specialized care, report increased confidence in managing mental health diagnoses and have lower levels of burnout.
An integrated care case study
Consider the case of a first-time mom-to-be with no history of mental illness. During a checkup with her OB/GYN, a standard mental health screening indicates she has symptoms of depression. Since the OB/GYN practice has an integrated behavioral health partnership with LifeStance Health, the expecting mother meets with a therapist that same week. The therapist determines her depression is severe and connects her to a LifeStance psychiatrist who specializes in women’s mental health. Together, they create a treatment plan with weekly therapy sessions and medication management.
Over the next several months, the care team helps the expecting mom develop coping strategies and a strong support system. She begins to feel more prepared for motherhood and gains tools to ensure ongoing management of her symptoms post-delivery. Meanwhile, her OB/GYN has visibility into her mental health treatment, allowing for a more holistic approach to care.
The patient has a healthier pregnancy, a healthy baby and a solid foundation of mental wellness. As she navigates motherhood, she continues therapy and psychiatric support for long-term stability. Integrated care promises timely mental health support, so no one is left without the care they need.
Choosing the right behavioral health partner
Despite the potential of integrated care, primary care and women’s health providers often face the challenge of finding a partner that meets their patients’ diverse needs without adding operational costs or complexities. LifeStance Health is uniquely positioned to help providers overcome these barriers, making behavioral health services accessible, efficient and effective.
LifeStance is the largest provider of outpatient mental health care in the country, offering treatment for all ages and stages both via telehealth and in-person at our more than 550 locations across the country. Our care is covered by insurance, and patients can access a range of services, including therapy, psychiatry, psychological testing and interventional psychiatry, within one integrated network.
LifeStance offers a spectrum of integrated behavioral health models, ranging from simple referral relationships with closed-loop communication to collaborative co-location and fully integrated services using the Collaborative Care Model. Our goal is to integrate into our partner’s ecosystem with the most effective solution for their goals.
If you’re ready to reimagine mental health care, read Simplifying behavioral health access: Practical strategies for care integration to learn more about how LifeStance can support you and your patients, and get in touch with LifeStance to discuss partnership opportunities.