baylor scott & white health Health Care Reimagined mental health : a primary care
Anxiety , depression , substance use and other mental health problems can seriously affect physical health , especially when the underlying issues are not addressed . With Texas facing a severe shortage of mental health professionals , many adults don ’ t have access to care for their mental health problems . That makes the family physician ’ s office the front line of defense against mental illness .
Baylor Scott & White Health brings licensed clinical social workers and community health workers into community clinics to strengthen that front line . The community clinics serve low-income and underinsured or uninsured residents , the patients most likely to need help getting mental health services .
Trained social workers such as Rita Smith and Susan Clark screen patients to identify those with mental health issues , coordinate their care on the spot and determine if those issues may interfere with managing their physical health . Pam Davis , manager of behavioral health social work , said they also provide individualized therapy and help patients connect to community resources that address non-medical needs , such as transportation or sufficient nutrition , which can affect the healing process .
Treating mental illness at the primary care doctor ’ s office reduces stigma , offers patient-centered convenience and allows clinicians to provide comprehensive care in a familiar environment . By integrating services for mental disorders — which have become the costliest conditions to treat in the U . S . — in community clinics , Baylor Scott & White also makes better use of health care resources and reduces the cost of care . More important , it helps patients get healthier and stay healthier .
The mind-body connection means that poor emotional health can weaken the immune system and make it more difficult to battle physical ailments . Offering mental health services in a physician ’ s office provides patients access to the help they need , minimizes the stigma patients may feel and improves the chances of better health outcomes .
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