How Mental Health Access Programs Work

National Provider Shortage = Gaps in Accessing Care

Behavioral health systems across the country are struggling to meet the demand of patients who need support for mental health concerns. There are not enough mental health specialists available, which means patients face long wait times until they’re able to access care. In a survey from the American Psychological Association (APA) in 2023, 56% of psychologists said they had no openings for new patients. 69% said the average time for a patient on their waitlist was up to three months, and 31% had average wait times of more than three months.

A recent report from Inseparable found that Virginians have to go out-of-network six and half times more for mental healthcare than physical healthcare, leading to higher treatment costs. These researchers also discovered that Virginia only meets 22% of its psychiatrist workforce needs.

The Burden on Primary Care Providers

When a patient isn't able to access a specialist, they often turn to their primary care provider (PCP) to support their mental health. In fact, over half of patients in severe psychological distress seek out their PCP for support. Currently, primary care clinicians manage 60% of our country's mental health cases, and they write 79% of the prescriptions for antidepressants.

Unfortunately, PCPs aren't typically equipped to manage these concerns on their own. This is because they only get 15 minutes scheduled with each of their patients, during which they must complete:  

• Patient history review 

• Review of systems 

• Preventative care 

• Medication history exam 

• Prescription adjustments and refills 

• Physical exam 

• Diagnosis and treatment 

• Diagnostic test orders 

• Referral orders 

• Health counseling 

• Addressing patient questions/concerns 

• Social determinants of health assessment 

• Follow-up planning 

• Visit documentation 

On top of this, they are now expected to provide extensive mental health support. In one survey, 84% of PCPs said they played a key role in mental healthcare for their patients, but only 56% had training in these conditions.

How Mental Health Access Programs Close the Gap

Across the country, states are beginning to develop their own psychiatry/mental health access programs to help address this gap in care and the burden on PCPs. At this point, most states have a pediatric mental health access program, and a little over half have a perinatal mental health access program for pregnant and postpartum patients. Even fewer such programs are available for adult patients.

In Virginia, we have HealthHaven, which is home to Virginia’s mental health access programs: VMAP, VMAP for Moms+, and APAL. These three programs work together to offer statewide support for prescribing clinicians (including PCPs) who are seeking support with a patient. Each offers two main services, both of which are completely free to PCPs and their patients.

• Psychiatric Consultation: You can call about your patient’s mental health concerns to speak with them about best practices for managing your patient’s care.

• Care Navigation: Care navigators will contact your patient and connect them with mental health and community resources in their area. They even follow up with your patient to help them navigate barriers that may arise!

 

 

VMAP for Moms+

Pregnancy/Postpartum

888-371-8627 x 1

Connect with…

– Perinatal psychiatrists

– Perinatal Licensed Mental Health Professionals (LMHPs)

– Care Navigators

 

VMAP

Children & Adolescents

888-371-8627 x 2

Connect with…

– Child/Adolescent Psychiatrists

– LMHPs

– Care Navigators

Press 2, then 6 to access our Early Childhood hub for patients under 6!

 

APAL

Adults

888-371-8627 x 3

Connect with…

– Adult physician & psychiatric specialists

– Clinical pharmacists

– LMHPs

– Care navigators