Overview:
The Promoting the Integration of Primary and Behavioral Healthcare project (PIPBHC-CoCM) is an innovative initiative designed to integrate behavioral health services with physical health care in university settings across Tennessee. Targeting adolescents and young adults aged 16 to 28 with serious emotional disturbances (SED) and co-occurring physical health or substance use conditions, this project will implement evidence-based practices within three college health clinics to enhance student well-being and healthcare efficacy.
Objectives:
Enhance access to integrated health services for students, thereby improving academic, physical, and emotional outcomes.
Implement evidence-based behavioral health interventions tailored to the needs of the youth and young adult populations.
Develop and foster statewide partnerships and collaborations to support sustainable healthcare integrations.
Serve as a centralized resource for training and evidence-based healthcare practices.
Methodology:
The project will employ a comprehensive approach involving the recruitment of skilled personnel, the adoption of the Collaborative Care Model (CoCM), and the utilization of structured care management practices. Key activities include the development of a state planning council, establishment of program readiness and implementation plans, and integration of behavioral health screening tools across university campuses.
Expected Outcomes:
Improvement in mental and physical health outcomes for participants.
Reduction in wait times for healthcare services and increased student access to necessary care.
Establishment of a robust, sustainable model for integrated behavioral and physical health care tailored to the needs of college students in Tennessee.
Funding and Duration:
The project is scheduled over a five-year period, aiming to build a long-lasting infrastructure that supports integrated health solutions and addresses the acute need for mental health services among college students, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.