Primary Care Behavioral Health Integration
Partnering to Move from Crisis to Innovation
Behavioral Health Integration In Partnership with Regis University, Four Rural Nurse-Led Primary Care Clinics, and Three Schools of Nursing
The program focuses on multiple evidence-based strategies for three main priorities:
- Behavioral health integration (BHI) in all three clinics to a SAMHSA level 6 of integration.
- Professional development through coaching, synchronous and asynchronous training on BHI (Behavioral Health Integration), interprofessional teams, bias in mental health, and creating a culture of retention.
- Education of pre-licensure and NP-level nursing students on culturally-sensitive behavioral health care.
Want to know more?
Contact our Project Director
Tiffany Chohfi, MSN, RN
Why it's Important
Pre-COVID, Colorado Ranked Sixth Nationally for Suicides
Rural Communities were Suffering the Greatest Loss
Over 45% of suicides consulted a primary care provider within one year preceding death. Unfortunately, the majority of primary care providers lack the knowledge, skills, and access to mental health services. Racial inequality and injustice further add to the disparity in care. To address this complex problem, we developed a collaborative and innovative strategy.
Recognizing that both medical and behavioral health factors are important aspects of whole-person care, medical and behavioral health clinicians are no longer siloed from one another. They learn to work as a team to deliver same-day patient-centered care in the clinic. Patients are seen by a “Behavioral Health Consultant” (BHC) alongside their primary care providers as part of their primary care office visit. This ensures same-day access to care, improved patient and provider outcomes, and a reduction in costs and unnecessary delays in care.