Better care, better health outcomes

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No more delays. No more unmet needs. No more gaps.

Transforming the system isn’t simple. And it won’t happen overnight. But, through a coordinated effort, including policy, practice, and our communities, we can uncomplicate the system.

Explore the key drivers and evidence for integrating behavioral health.

  • Reduced Costs

    Patients with behavioral health conditions can cost 3x as much as patients without. Depression alone has been linked to 50-100% higher direct and indirect costs. Integrating behavioral health can decrease overall medical costs in a variety of ways, including unnecessary emergency room visits, and fewer patient sick days. Overall, by integrating physical and behavioral health services, we can save an estimated $26-48 billion dollars annually.
  • Improved Health Outcomes

    When health care providers practice in their silos, they focus on specific physical or behavioral health symptoms, which often results in poorer whole health outcomes. What’s more, financial and stigma barriers often prevent patients from getting the care they need. When behavioral health providers are part of the medical team, we reduce financial barriers, decrease mental health stigma, and improve patient health outcomes.
  • Greater Access to Care

    Although most patients access behavioral health services outside of traditional mental health care settings, the most people still do not have access to the care they need. For example, while 70-80% of children obtain behavioral health services at school, nearly 80% with mental health needs don’t receive treatment. When we integrate behavioral health providers into hospitals and practices, patients no longer have to visit different offices for different systems of care. Instead, they receive whole person care at one appointment.
Download the Key Drivers

Real life evidence. Real life impact.

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Adolescent Health in Schools

Adolescents with positive behavioral health are more equipped to succeed academically. But when 1 in 5 youth have a diagnosable mental health condition, how do the education and healthcare sectors build systems to support the whole health of youth? Explore Issue >

Download Brief
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Medicaid

Medicaid is the largest payer of behavioral health services in the United States yet, within Medicaid, 51% of adults and 46% of children with behavioral health conditions did not receive treatment. How do we better meet their needs? Explore Issue >

Download Brief
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Opioids

Opioid addiction is a chronic disease; like other illnesses, there are ways to prevent it, treat it, and make systems better equipped to address it. See how integrated solutions have been applied to opioid prevention, treatment, and system-level changes in these three briefs. Explore Issue >

Download Prevention Brief Download Treatment Brief Download Systems Change Brief
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Stigma and health equity

How do we improve overall population health and reduce health inequalities? Explore Issue >

Read Briefs