Am J Psychiatry 1978; 135:1351-1355
Copyright © 1978 by American Psychiatric Association
The future for mental health in primary health care programs
RG Morrill
Our largely separate mental health system has developed in relationship to
a health care system oriented toward specialization and solo practice. Now
the health care system is moving in the direction of primary care and group
and organizational practice. New forms of mental health delivery are needed
to maximize the potential of these new health care programs for mental
health services. The author describes these new integrated programs which
bring mental health providers into the primary health care programs for
direct services as well as consultation. Issues discussed include mutual
roles, changes in services, the referral process, and provider
relationships. The advantages of such integrated programs include decreased
stigma, increased prevention through earlier detection and referral,
increased family orientation, greater coordination of care, and less
duplication.
