Primary mental health care reform: Catch the wave

Abstract

There is growing energy behind primary mental health care reform – from political activity, research, funding and clinical practice. The evidence that early adopters have been busy reforming mental health services in primary health care is apparent in the rise of references to primary mental health care and collaborative care in national and provincial planning documents, clinical trials examining the efficacy of collaborative mental health care, funded clinical programs across the country, and the establishment of a nationally funded initiative – the Canadian Collaborative Mental Health Initiative – to research and develop tools to implement collaborative mental health care. In conclusion, there is real momentum in primary mental health care reform. Health care planners and executives will want to turn their attention to collaborative care as the benefits to individuals and their families, the health care system, and to the economy are clear.