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Though by many measures and behaviors we’ve shifted to the endemic phase of COVID-19, our health care system continues to grapple with a crisis exacerbated by the pandemic: mental health. The ongoing difficulties and uncertainties driven by the pandemic led to a worsening of many pre-existing mental health issues and the emergence of new ones. Indeed, recent research found that though more people are demanding mental health services and the number of related visits is increasing, 42%of adults with a desire to see a mental health professional have still not done so, pointing to patient access issues.
Given the challenges with access to behavioral health care, many primary care physicians (PCPs) have become well-versed in the treatment of certain behavioral health conditions such as depression or anxiety. This is particularly true in rural areas where mental health services are scarce, and PCPs are relied upon for treatment and often serve as the primary delivery pipeline for mental health services. For patients with more complex conditions or treatment failures, however, the access challenges remain. The good news is behavioral health care delivery models and services continue to evolve.