SAMHSA announces $6 million to promote integrating primary and behavioral health care

Abstract

It's not just about integrating mental health and substance use (commonly referred to as “behavioral health”) anymore. The federal government for some time has been promoting merging these with primary care; in other words, giving primary care providers the job of treating mental illness and substance use disorders. Last week, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced the availability of $6 million, to be given to three awardees, for coming up with ways to integrate primary and behavioral health care. “The purpose of this program is to: (a) promote full integration and collaboration in clinical practices between physical and behavioral health care; (b) support the improvement of integrated care models for physical and behavioral health care to improve overall wellness and physical health status; and (c) promote the implementation and improvement of bidirectional integrated care services, including evidence‐based or evidence‐informed screening, assessment, diagnosis, prevention, treatment and recovery services for mental and substance use disorders and co‐occurring physical health conditions and chronic diseases through integrated care.” Applications are due May 20. For more information, go to https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/grants/pdf/fy‐2024‐pipbhc‐states‐sm‐24‐003.pdf.