Primary Care and Mental Health Integration

The Institute has long been committed to providing the highest quality integrated healthcare. Mental health providers are located, either part time or full time, at all of the Institute’s health centers. In 2003, the Institute began utilizing the evidence-based Project IMPACT (Improving Mood, Promoting Access to Collaborative Treatment) model to screen for and treat depression symptoms in primary care. Since that time, the Institute has achieved and maintained one of the highest universal screening rates in the country. In the past three years alone over 180,000 patients have been screened for depression in primary care and over 50% of those who screen positive have been successfully transitioned into ongoing mental health treatment at the Institute.

Most recently, the Institute has partnered with the Community Health Center Association of New York State (CHCANYS) and the Samuels Foundation in a new learning collaborative to implement Project IMPACT at four community health centers in New York City. We are excited to share our expertise and experience to promote integration among our community partners.

Research has shown that the best way to treat mental health disorders in primary care settings is to provide integrated primary care and mental health services – comprehensive, multidisciplinary care that is systematically combined to provide the best outcomes. In this way, mental health concerns can be addressed where the patient feels most comfortable receiving care and there is optimal coordination of care among providers. The Institute is proud to be a leader in bringing integrated care to New York State communities.