Integrated Behavioral Health is defined as the care that results from an integrated practice team of behavioral health and primary care practitioners, working together with families and patients, utilizing a multi-pronged approach to offer patient-focused care to a defined population. The basic premise of this care model is to work with a family’s specific individual needs while addressing the care needs of the family and society at large. In other words, the model is focused on the entire family as one unit with the primary goal of enhancing quality family health by providing optimal individual wellness. Integrated Behavioral Health care emphasizes the importance of family communication, family support, individual wellness, family relationships and healthy social interactions.
Integrated Mental Health and Family Health Care (IMFH) combine mental health care and family health care to improve the health and well-being of people with co-occurring mental health issues and other conditions that may require coordinated care. IMFH practices a comprehensive approach to addressing the needs of families as one unit, including co-occurring mental illness. This integrated health care system also includes the following mental health disciplines: psychiatry, psychology, clinical social work, geriatrics, behavioral science, home medicine, and pediatrics. The health system utilizes a multi-disciplinary team to focus on all areas of the patient’s overall well-being, which includes both the physical and mental health. The goal of this system is to build a supportive community, foster mental health, and provide a healthy social environment for the entire family. This approach utilizes several resources to develop an interdisciplinary mental health care team, including clinical social workers, psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical nurses, and physical therapists. The focus is on providing a comprehensive wellness experience for the entire family, including parents, children, and caregivers.
An integrated behavioral health system also incorporates a variety of prevention and social service programs to promote the overall wellness of the community. These programs include substance abuse screenings, education programs, employment, and health promotion activities. In addition to providing quality care, these programs also improve the quality of life for families by providing services and assistance to those who are most in need. This model focuses on developing a balanced approach that provides a safe, supportive, and empowering environment for all family members.
