Mental Health Resources for Media
Interviews with AAFP leadership, research, resources and more to help journalists cover mental health care in family medicine.
AAFP Board Members and family physicians Jay W. Lee, MD, MPH, FAAFP, and Teresa Lovins, MD, FAAFP, talk about the important role family physicians play in providing mental health care to patients. Media outlets are free to use these interviews for broadcast or publication with credit to the AAFP.
If you would like to set up additional media interviews, please contact Emily Holwick at eholwick@aafp.org.
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Julie Hirschhorn
Public Relations Manager
jhirschhorn@aafp.org
Emily Holwick
Public Relations Strategist
eholwick@aafp.org
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The State of Integrated Primary Care and Behavioral Health in the United States
A report from the Robert Graham Center explored how the integration of primary care and behavioral health services can provide opportunities to improve health outcomes.
Source: Robert Graham Center
Mental Health Care Services by Family Physicians
There are significant gaps in the provision of mental health care services in the U.S., especially related to vulnerable populations. Family physicians are well-equipped to provide mental health services and are one of the primary sources for mental health care in the U.S.
Mental Health, Parity in Coverage for Patients
The AAFP supports parity of health insurance coverage for patients, regardless of medical or mental health diagnosis.
Mental Health, Physician Responsibility
Promotion of mental health, diagnosis and treatment of mental illness in the individual and family context are integral components of family medicine.
AAFP Debuts Mental and Behavioral Health Hub
The AAFP recently updated its mental and behavioral health resources to equip family physicians to effectively address patients’ mental health needs.
Road Map Outlines Behavioral Health Integration Strategies 10/22
HHS outlines solutions for integrating mental health and substance use care into larger health care systems, with the overall goal of transforming the way behavioral health care is provided in the United States.
Feds Unveil New Resources on Mental Health, SUD Coverage 5/22
HHS and the Department of Labor published resources to inform patients about their rights to coverage of mental health and substance use disorder benefits under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act.
New Maternal Mental Health Hotline Launches 5/22
To help women maintain not only their physical health but also their mental and emotional well-being, the Biden administration created the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline.
Task Force Makes Recommendations on SUD, Pain, Mental Health 10/21
A new Substance Use and Pain Care Task Force formed by the AMA with the AAFP and other partners has released five recommendations aimed at removing barriers, improving access to care and increasing access to harm-reduction strategies for patients with pain, substance use disorders or mental illness.
Research Highlights Primary Care’s Role in Mental Health 8/21
Research published by the Robert Graham Center identifies primary care physicians as crucial sentinels against a “looming mental health crisis and rise in underserved populations needing mental health services.”
Family physicians play a crucial role in providing mental health care. See where we’ve been on the record:
Healio: ‘You will not find what you are not looking for': How PCPs can fight record suicide levels
Medical Economics: How do we address the nation’s mental health crisis?
Healio Q&A: Primary care providers 'play a crucial role' in mental health care
Patient Care: Social Media is a Mental Health Hazard for Nation's Youth, Surgeon General Says
FPM Topic Collection: Behavioral Health
FPM editors have identified and compiled the journal's best content on the topic of behavioral health in primary care.
AFP: Integrated Behavioral Health Clinics Are Lacking in Areas With High Mental Health Distress
This study examined the need for integrating behavioral health care with primary care in areas of high need across the U.S.
AAFP Advocacy Focus: Behavioral Health
The AAFP advocates for federal and state lawmakers and regulators to improve patient access to behavioral health services, including the diagnosis and treatment of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance use disorder, and other mental health concerns.
AAFP Comments on Mental Health Parity in Medicaid and CHIP
Medicaid is the largest single source of funding for mental health and substance use disorder services in the U.S. The AAFP wrote to the Center for Medicaid and CHIP services urging HHS and others to hold Medicaid agencies accountable for strong oversight of mental health parity.
AAFP Comments on the SUPPORT Act
The AAFP wrote to Congressional leadership expressing support for the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act.
AAFP Highlights Support for Mental Health Parity
The AAFP applauded Congress for their commitment to advancing policies that will improve access to mental health and SUD care for all communities across the country.
Q: What role do family physicians play in providing mental health care?
A: Primary care physicians, including family physicians, often serve as the first point of contact for patients navigating the health care system, and many people with mental health needs will be diagnosed and treated in the primary care setting.
Family physicians receive extensive training in caring for patients with depression and other mental illnesses, and patients benefit when they receive care from a physician who knows and understands their entire health history. Family physicians can screen for, diagnose and treat mental health concerns, as well as refer patients to behavioral health specialists and prescribe medication when appropriate.
Q: What does behavioral health integration mean?
A: The AAFP advocates for robust investment in an array of resources to better integrate behavioral health care into primary care practices. This integration exists along a spectrum ranging from consistent coordination of referrals and exchange of information to locating behavioral health services within the primary care office.
However, there are several barriers to integrating behavioral health into primary care practices. These include a limited workforce, payment and reporting requirements, and steep start-up costs.
Q: How does the AAFP advocate for mental health?
A: The AAFP believes mental health services must be accessible, affordable and equitable. The AAFP advocates for federal and state lawmakers and regulators to improve patient access to behavioral health services, including the diagnosis and treatment of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance use disorder, and other mental health concerns.
The AAFP also advocates for improved physician payments for services, investments in training and education for physicians to integrate behavioral health into their practices, and other measures to better facilitate and reimburse medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders, mental and behavioral health services for children and adolescents, maternal mental health care and care-coordination efforts with other behavioral health clinicians.
Q: How does the AAFP support physician mental health and well-being?
A: Research shows that physicians in the U.S. face nearly twice the rate of suicidal ideation compared to the general population, and the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated personal hardships as physicians continue caring for patients, themselves, and their families.
Physician Health First® offers online programming and resources, including selected readings, continuing medical education and leadership programming to help physicians have a positive impact on their work environment. The AAFP also offers the Leading Physician Well-Being certificate program, a 10-month program that includes three foundational areas; physician well-being, leadership development, and performance improvement.