2017 Awareness Day Final Report 2017_ADayFinalReport | Page 5

Families, young adults, primary care, and
behavioral health providers lead the way in
primary care and behavioral health integration
Awareness Day 2017 showcased
effective physical and mental health
care integration practices by highlighting
examples in the field. Before each panel
discussion, videos told the story of how
integration is being practiced throughout
the country and the effectiveness of each
approach to address the child, youth, or
young adult’s health needs.
NEW MEXICO
In New Mexico, La Clínica del Pueblo
and the Ben Archer Health Center use
telemedicine and colocating services to
improve communication and collaboration
between primary care and behavioral
health providers. At La Clínica del
Pueblo, behavioral and physical health
providers are in the same physical space
and use common protocols to increase
collaboration and treat each patient
with a whole health approach. At the
Ben Archer Health Center, telemedicine
is used to increase communication
between primary care and behavioral
health providers to help youth and young
adults feel more comfortable speaking
with a behavioral health provider through
technology.
NEW YORK
In New York, the HealthySteps program
focuses on early childhood and integrates
parent support and behavioral health in
the pediatric setting. Parents work with
a behavioral health specialist as well
as primary care providers to empower
them to take control of their child’s health
from an early age. Parents and families
know what to expect from their medical
providers and work together with the
medical team to address the child’s
whole health.
WASHINGTON, DC
In Washington, DC, Children’s National
Medical Center focuses on children with
chronic illness, specifically diabetes, and
provides a comprehensive integrated
care approach. Behavioral health
specialists work directly with the diabetes
medical team to treat children, youth,
and young adults with chronic illness.
Strong relationships between behavioral
health providers and diabetes specialists
help children with diabetes get the most
effective care for both their mind and
body.
Children, youth, and young adults with behavioral
health challenges are healthiest when the community
works as a team. Primary care providers, behavioral
health providers, family, and youth leaders are all
essential players. During Awareness Day 2017 in
Washington, DC, leaders from each of these groups
shared their perspective on stage and inspired peers
to care for children’s mental health as part of their
overall health.
FAMILY LEADERS
● ● LISA LAMBERT
Parent/Professional Advocacy League, MA
“The family always has to be a part of the team. I can’t emphasize
that enough, because they’re the people who are the experts on
their children and on their family.”
● ● NICOLE PRATT
Family Voices, NJ
“At the time when [my daughter] had her [mental health] crisis I was
working in a system of care in New Jersey and so I had knowledge
and information to be able to get her all the right services and
supports that she needed.”
For educational materials that help caregivers and youth learn about symptoms
of various mental disorders, treatment options, and support services, visit
https://www.samhsa.gov/children/family-educational-materials
2017 FINAL REPORT
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