Comprehensive Report: Integrating Physical and Mental Health Services

This report addresses the integration of physical and mental health, focusing on the role of behavioral health providers. It explores the challenges and strategies for managing patients with co-occurring physical and mental health issues, such as those interested in weight management while struggling with depression. The report examines the goals and benefits of integrated behavioral health care, including coordinated care, reduced fragmentation, and improved patient outcomes. It contrasts treatment modalities in medical and mental health fields, detailing the roles of behavioral health providers in each discipline. The report discusses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and psychopharmacology. The report also acknowledges the challenges related to financial sustainability and the importance of multidisciplinary training and knowledge sharing among healthcare providers. It emphasizes the use of health information technology for real-time data access and communication to reduce misunderstandings and improve patient care.

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Integrating Physical and Mental Health
Name
Affiliation

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Integrating Physical and Mental Health
The behavioral health provider should comprehend major issues that arise during
management of this patient, such as dealing with short-term and long-term mental illness patients
who succumb due to early physical illness such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes (Naylor
et al., 2016). Naylor et al. (2016), further notes that identification of those patients with long
term physical health issues whose high utilization of services shows psychological and social
problems rather than the severity of their physical state. Naylor et al. (2016), acknowledge that
patients could be accessing healthcare services with idiopathic symptoms that may possess
personality disorders. These concerns can be addressed through connection of the patients with
their friends, relatives’ workmates and their neighbors. Advise patient to be active through
identification of physical activity of their choice such as working fast and not going to the gym.
The patients to take note of their surrounding as this will positively influence their thinking and
how to approach different challenges.
Integrated behavioral health care aids in the coordination of care that reduces
fragmentation, unnecessary utilization of services and promotion of independence and self-care
during service delivery (Bachrach et al., 2014). Provision of lucrative opportunities for
multidisciplinary trainings in emergence of health-related problems is vital in integrated
behavioral health. Accountability for the whole person is guaranteed as care team is responsible
for the coordination and delivery of broad picture of physical and behavioral health services.
There is knowledge sharing with primary health providers regarding early identification,
diagnosis and the basic health treatment protocols (Unützer, Harbin, Schoenbaum, & Druss,
2013). The utilization of health information technology in communication and information
exchange ensures that the different health care providers access patient data in real time, notes,

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Unützer, et al. (2014). Reduction of cross system misunderstanding as physical and behavioral
health providers are trained in each other’s disciplines. According to Bachrach et al. (2014),
there are challenges regarding financial sustainability in regard to integration of behavioral
health care. Most countries do not set allocate adequate funds for utilization in the health sector.
According to Baer (2015), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) modality emphasizes
that the patients should be talked to so as to gain capacity needed for coping with challenging
environment subjected to. This is achieved through comprehending factors that are responsible
for occurrence for mental problems that can be used in the teaching of new behavior and
perception of patients. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) gives patients capacity to deal with
challenging emotions and other related conflicts. Tools of utilizing mindfulness, tolerance and
interpersonal efficacy are provided (Baer, 2015). On the other hand, psychopharmacology deals
with the use medicine in the treatment of some mental health problems. Medications have been
sort of a miracle in the management of mental disorders if used correctly. The behavior health
staffs should assess the behavioral health requirements of their patients and provide non-
pharmacological activities in collaboration with other team members. Where as in Medical
treatment modalities they should consult with other medical team on medication management of
mental illnesses.

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References
Bachrach, D., Anthony, S., Detty, A., Manatt, P., & Phillips, L. L. P. (2014). State strategies for
integrating physical and behavioral health services in a changing Medicaid environment.
New York: Commonwealth Fund.
Baer, R. A. (Ed.). (2015). Mindfulness-based treatment approaches: Clinician's guide to
evidence base and applications. Elsevier.
Naylor, C., Das, P., Ross, S., Honeyman, M., Thompson, J., & Gilburt, H. (2016). Bringing
together physical and mental health. King's Fund.
Unützer, J., Harbin, H., Schoenbaum, M., & Druss, B. (2013). The collaborative care model: An
approach for integrating physical and mental health care in Medicaid health homes.
Health Home Information Resource Center, 1-13.

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