Mental + Behavioral healthcare integration and expansion
Mental health problems are among the most common health conditions in the U.S., with one in five adults experiencing mental illness each year. With the onset of COVID-19, the already strained mental health system was hit by a perfect storm of personal fear and anxiety, societal and political upheaval, forced isolation, loss of life, and an economic downturn, coupled with unprecedented challenges for the behavioral health workforce. Black, Latino, and multi-racial adults in Virginia reported higher rates of depression throughout the pandemic than White and Asian Virginians.
At the same time, Virginia has a long-standing shortage of behavioral health workers, with access to behavioral health providers varying widely within the District, exacerbated by a critical shortage of in-patient psychiatric beds.
Although the CHIP objectives for Mental + Behavioral Health are not yet finalized, the goals and recommendations inherited from MAPP2Health were generated by the CHIP lead convener (the Community Mental Health and Wellness Coalition) with input from MAPP2Health participants. The Workgroup is expected to address the need to expand capacity for racially and culturally responsive behavioral health care; increase access to care (such as by increasing in-patient psychiatric beds); and promote policies, systems, and environments that improve behavioral health and wellness.
Overview of Contributors: The Mental + Behavioral Health workgroup is still forming and partners include both health systems, behavioral health organizations, criminal justice organizations, and other groups.
Overview of Objectives: The Mental + Behavioral Health Workgroup is still forming and identifying priorities and next steps for tackling the CHIP’s goals.
Proposed CHIP Goals + Objectives
Proposed Goal | Proposed Objective | Convenor | Proposed Contributor |
Expand capacity for racially and culturally responsive behavioral health care |
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Increase access to care |
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Integrate Digital Navigators into the healthcare landscape |
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Promote policies, systems, and environments that improve behavioral health and wellness |
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FEATURED EVENT: May 2023
Stress First Aid is a mental health model of self-care and peer support that helps to identify and sustainably address stress. Registration is encouraged but walk-ins welcome! |
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