Leading physicians are coming together to incorporate mental health services with medical care, which has been difficult to do in the past due to cultural and financial barriers.
The American Medical Association (AMA) has created the Behavioral Health Integration (BHI) as a response to increase mental health services. BHI will bring together experts from the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American College of Physicians, American Osteopathic Association and American Psychiatric Association.
“Without a clear road map for success, integrating mental and physical health services has been a challenge for medical practices," AMA Immediate Past President Dr. Patrice Harris, said in an AMA press release. "The AMA is committed to accessible and equitable treatment for behavioral, mental and physical health needs, and the BHI Collaborative will provide physicians with a proven playbook for implementing a holistic approach to physical, mental and behavioral health to meet the needs of all patients.”
AMA will use the BHI efforts to expand limited mental health services. BHI will put together an online collection "of physician-tested resources" that can help give patients a road map to follow for mental health care.
“Integrating mental and physical health services has been a challenge for medical practices without a clear and efficient course to success," Harris said in the press release. "The AMA is committed to equitable and accessible treatment for behavioral, mental and physical health needs and the BHI Collaborative will provide physicians with a proven playbook for implementing a holistic approach to physical, mental and behavioral health to meet the needs of all patients."
