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PURPOSE Many individuals with behavioral health challenges receive services in primary care, and integrated behavioral health (IBH) programs can help increase access to evidence-based interventions. IBH programs can benefit substantially from integrating standardized tracking databases that allow for the implementation of measurement-based care to evaluate patient-, clinician-, and practice-level outcomes. We describe the development and integration of Mayo Clinic's pediatric and adult primary care psychotherapy tracking database. METHODS IBH practice leaders directed the development of a large psychotherapy tracking database that continuously populates from Mayo Clinic's electronic health record system. The database captures numerous patient variables including demographics, behavioral health and substance use issues, psychotherapy principles used, and self-reported symptoms. We retrieved current data for patients empaneled in Mayo Clinic's pediatric and adult primary care psychotherapy programs from June 2014 to June 2022. RESULTS The tracking database contained data for 16,923 adult patients and 6,298 pediatric patients. The mean age of adult patients was 43.2 years (SD 18.3), 88.1% were non-Latine White, and 66.7% identified as female. The mean age of pediatric patients was 11.6 years (SD 4.2), 82.5% were non-Latine White, and 56.9% identified as female. We provide examples of practical applications of the database across clinical, educational, research, and administrative domains. CONCLUSIONS The development and integration of a psychotherapy tracking database supports clinician communication, examination of patient outcomes, practice quality improvement efforts, and clinically relevant research. Our description of Mayo Clinic's IBH database may serve as a model for other IBH practices. Key words: integrated behavioral health; measurement-based care; electronic health records; health informatics; quality improvement; health metrics; mental health; psychotherapy; primary care; multidisciplinary research; patient care team; population health https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.2927, INTRODUCTION Behavioral health disorders in both children and adults are prevalent (1-4) and burdensome, resulting in a marked degree of functional impairment. (5,6) Although evidence-based interventions exist, many individuals needing [...]

This secondary analysis of 5,000 African Americans and black Caribbeans explored how their use of social work services to address mental and substance use disorders was associated with the disorder involved as well as their perceived need for services, belief system, family resources, proximity to services, social-structural factors, and demographic characteristics. The sample was extracted from a national data set. Results of multinomial logistic regression showed that use of social work services was increased by dual diagnosis, substance use disorder alone, and mental disorder alone; by deteriorating mental health; by perceived stigma in treatment use; by welfare receipt and insurance coverage for mental health services; and by college graduation. Results also showed that use of services outside social work was promoted by dual diagnosis, substance use disorder alone, and mental disorder alone; by deteriorating mental health; by experience of racial discrimination; by insurance coverage for mental health services; by college education or graduation; and by female gender and increasing age. The findings' implications for social work intervention and education are discussed. KEY WORDS: mental health; racial disparities; social work practice; substance abuse, Compared with white Americans, African Americans with mental disorders or substance abuse problems are less likely to receive treatment (Wells, Klap, Koike, & Sherbourne, 2001). Studies have shown that only [...]

Abstract An acute mental health ward successfully piloted the role of therapeutic liaison worker (TLW) to co-ordinate multidisciplinary team members, healthcare assistants, volunteers and community resources with the aim of [...]

There are increasing numbers of refugees worldwide, with approximately 16 million refugees in 2007 and over 2.5 million refugees resettled in the United States since the start of its humanitarian program. Psychologists and other health professionals who deliver mental health services for individuals from refugee backgrounds need to have confidence that the therapeutic interventions they employ are appropriate and effective for the clients with whom they work. The current review briefly surveys refugee research, examines empirical evaluations of therapeutic interventions in resettlement contexts, and provides recommendations for best practices and future directions in resettlement countries. The resettlement interventions found to be most effective typically target culturally homogeneous client samples and demonstrate moderate to large outcome effects on aspects of traumatic stress and anxiety reduction. Further evaluations of the array of psychotherapeutic, psychosocial, pharmacological, and other therapeutic approaches, including psychoeducational and community-based interventions that facilitate personal and community growth and change, are encouraged. There is a need for increased awareness, training and funding to implement longitudinal interventions that work collaboratively with clients from refugee backgrounds through the stages of resettlement. DOI: 10.1111/j.1939-0025.2010.01062.x

In the past two decades a great deal of research has demonstrated improved quality of care when mental health care is integrated into primary care. To date, most of the [...]

A study was conducted to evaluate and compare the efficacy of evidence-based treatment such as Coordinated Anxiety Learning and Management (CALM) for multiple anxiety disorders like depression, anxiety, panic and post-traumatic stress disorders in primary care as against usual care (UC). Results indicated that in the case of such patients CALM proved more effective than UC in improving adverse conditions.

Counselors are being called on to reach beyond the office and clinic to partner with clients, their families, and communities to address mental health and social problems. Counselors need models of collaboration that guide them in building transformative client-family-community partnerships. W. J. Doherty and T. J. Mendenhall (2006) presented a model of community-based collaboration in their article Citizen Health Care: A Model for Engaging Patients, Families, and Communities as Co-Producers of Health. After reviewing their article, an analysis of a university-community partnership is used to frame the discussion of the model's implications for counselors and counselor education programs., Increasingly, the counseling profession has begun endorsing the need for counselors to collaborate with clients, families, and communities (Constantine, Hage, Kindaichi, & Bryant, 2007; Lee, 1998). Collaboration that reaches beyond [...]

Mental health concerns pose a substantial threat to the immediate and future health of children and their functioning at home, at school, and in the community. Research indicates that 1 in 5 children has a diagnosable mental or addictive disorder and 1 in 10 has a serious emotional disturbance. This review considers emerging trends, national initiatives, and the roles of related professions in responding to the crisis in children's mental health. Recommendations are offered for counseling practice, training, leadership, and research., Mental health problems among children have been described as a public health crisis as a direct result of the troubling, and oftentimes tragic, impact mental health disorders have on the [...]

Background: Standardized instruments have been introduced for routine use within Victorian mental health services. The aim of routine outcome measurement (ROM) is to ensure the highest standard of service delivery as demonstrated through quality and accountability processes. Aims: The aim is to determine the extent to which ROM measure against the 12 principles of outcome measurement described by Smith et al. (1997). Method: The three ROM currently used in Victoria were critiqued according to the 12 principles, with the support of a review of the literature regarding outcome measurement. Results: Of the 12 principles articulated, nine are not met by ROM currently used in Victoria. Only one is fully met, one partially met and one cannot be conclusively decided either way in light of current knowledge. Conclusions: ROM currently utilized in Victoria do not reflect the areas considered of most relevance and importance to consumers of mental health services. Priority should therefore be given to developing an alternative consumer-derived approach to determining the effectiveness of mental health services according to those most affected by them. Key words: consumer participation, consumer perspective, evaluation, mental health services, outcome measurement

Mental health practices that lack cultural competence prevent diverse clients from receiving the care they deserve. As providers and program administrators, psychologists currently have a responsibility to ensure high quality of care for diverse clients at the clinic level. This article deciphers extant empirical research, organizational theory, public policy literature, and best practices to identify which recommendations are most relevant for those in small mental health practices and clinics. The authors present l0 components for culturally appropriate care, ranging from policies and procedures to needs and satisfaction level of clients. This overview can be used to help evaluate and develop a mental health practice's ability to meet the needs of diverse clients. Keywords: culture, program evaluation, multicultural competence, organization, practice Supplemental materials: http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0735-7028.39.3.320.supp

This study sought to identity the psychiatric, physical, and social services needs experienced by older adults with severe mental illness (SMI) and to examine factors influencing their experience of need and service provision adequacy. Seventy-five older adults with SMI were recruited from a community mental health center to participate in the study. The typical client experienced a need for care in 10 areas, with the greatest needs occurring in the areas of psychological pain, physical illness, social contacts, looking after the home, and daily activities. The total number of unmet needs ranged from zero to 10, with the typical client having an average of 2.3 unmet needs (SD = 2.4). The highest proportions of unmet needs were in the areas of social contact, benefits, sight or hearing difficulties, and intimate relationships. Linear hierarchical regression analyses revealed that clients with lower income, greater impairments in independent daily living skills, and higher levels of depression experienced increased needs for care. Older clients who lived in private homes or apartments had higher levels of depression, and those who required assistance in the areas of intimate relationships and benefits experienced higher levels of unmet needs. Research and practice implications are discussed. KEY WORDS: negative symptoms; older adults; psychiatric disorders; service needs; severe mental illness, The growth of the older population around the world is a well-documented phenomenon. An unprecedented growth of older adults with severe mental illness (SMI) is expected to accompany this changing [...]

Poor reimbursement of pediatricians for behavioral and developmental services and the disarray of children's mental health services in the state led leaders of the North Carolina chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics to organize an advocacy effort with the following objectives: 1) to articulate pediatricians' perspective on the current crisis in delivering and coordinating children's behavioral health services; 2) to represent the collective voice of both academic and community pediatricians in dialogue with mental health providers, Medicaid leaders, and the health and mental health segments of state government; 3) to build consensus about an achievable plan of action to address pediatricians' reimbursement and systems issues; 4) to develop a full and appropriate role for pediatricians as providers and, potentially, coordinators of behavioral health care; and 5) to facilitate implementation of Medicaid changes, as a first step in carrying out this plan. This article describes the 24-month process that achieved these objectives. Pediatrics 2002;110:1232-1237; mental health, advocacy, Medicaid., ABBREVIATIONS. NC, North Carolina; MH, mental health; AAP, American Academy of Pediatrics; SCHIP, State Children's Health Insurance Program; SHP, state health plan; DMA, Division of Medical Assistance. NORTH CAROLINA'S SETTING [...]