Making behavioral health a seamless part of the visit to a pediatrician is leading to early screening for emotional problems and access to easy follow-up. A story in The Philadelphia Enquirer describes a local clinic:
The effort is part of a national movement to embed a form of mental health in primary care. The idea is to give simple interventions in 15- to 30-minute visits that will address behavioral issues ranging from stress to traumatic reactions that often go untreated.
One of the obstacles to integrating mental health and primary care has been how to pay for it. Successful models come from programs where insurance and treatment are under the same umbrella, including some managed care plans, the VA or Walter Reed Hospital.
