Industry leaders shed light on innovations in mental health
Writer: Eleana Teran
May 2024 — The impact of mental health extends far beyond individuals and their families, with over one in five adults living with a mental illness — costing the U.S. economy an estimated $282 billion annually. And as Mental Health Awareness Month comes to an end, leaders from various industries shed light on the significance of mental wellness, underscoring the need to reduce stigma and promote awareness.
According to the American Hospital Association (AHA), May serves as a crucial time to address the pervasive impact of mental illness and addiction in youth, families, and society at large. Hospitals and health systems are at the forefront of this movement, innovating how behavioral health disorders are identified and treated, integrating physical and behavioral health, and transforming their spaces from their emergency departments to their outpatient settings. These efforts not only improve patient outcomes and quality of care but also reduce overall healthcare costs amidst economic pressures and escalating operational costs. Nearly half (46%) of individuals cited affordability as the primary reason for not receiving mental health services, according to a 2020 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration survey.
Leaders in the mental health field emphasize that the ripple effects of these challenges extend beyond the individual, impacting families, communities, and the broader society. The National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) highlights that mental illness can complicate everyday life and recovery, influencing various aspects of life including employment, education, and overall well-being.
On a global scale, the impact of mental health issues contributes to $1 trillion in lost productivity each year and is projected to reach $6 trillion by 2030. This economic burden underscores the importance of addressing mental health not only as a healthcare issue but also as a critical economic concern.
To gain further insights, Invest: and Focus: sat with leaders across the country to discuss how they are addressing these challenges within their organizations and creating opportunities for students, employees, clients, and patients to lead healthier lives.
Marjorie Morrison, founder of Psych Hub
Our focus to drive the patient experience for mental health in today’s climate is on addressing the shortage. There’s either an actual shortage or at least a perceived one. As a result, individuals seeking care often face significant challenges in accessing it. If you’ve ever tried to find the right mental health professional for yourself, a friend or a family member, you know it can be incredibly tough. It’s not just about finding someone who accepts your insurance; it’s also about locating a practitioner with the right training, expertise, and cultural fit. Navigating this complex landscape is a major issue.
On the bright side, there have been some exciting developments, particularly in digital therapeutics. These are essentially apps and platforms that can be incredibly helpful, especially if you’re dealing with conditions like depression. They’re not only useful as standalone tools for individuals with lower acuity concerns but can also complement traditional therapy.
These digital solutions offer various features, including text-based interactions and more, making the patient experience better. For instance, if you’re seeing your therapist every few weeks, these digital tools can provide support and guidance in between sessions, enhancing the overall experience.
Unlike many other aspects of healthcare, mental health treatment doesn’t always lead to an immediately positive experience. It often involves hard work, and success isn’t measured by whether you had a pleasant session. Sometimes, you come out of a therapy session feeling pretty drained because you’re tackling difficult issues.
Doug Widener, president and CEO of the Piedmont Conservancy Park
The U.S. Surgeon General’s report last year declared a crisis of loneliness and isolation affecting not only older Americans but people of all ages across vibrant, densely populated metro areas like Atlanta. This issue underscores the vital role parks play in urban environments. Parks are great equalizers; they belong to everyone and offer a space where all individuals have equal rights and access. As a conservancy, it’s our responsibility to ensure that parks are welcoming and open to everyone. The troubling trend of loneliness can lead to reduced physical and mental health, but parks offer a natural remedy through people, connection, and nature. Our goal is to leverage these spaces to counteract isolation by fostering a sense of community and belonging. Ideally, a decade from now, we’d like to shift the conversation from an epidemic of isolation to an opportunity for connection, demonstrating how integral parks are in enhancing social bonds within our communities.
Mark Collins, chief strategy officer of One Health
We launched our Collaborative Care Program in 2023. North Carolina was one of 8 states in the country picked to introduce this embedded behavioral health therapist program, and we wanted to be at the forefront of that. For patients suffering from depression or anxiety, behavioral therapy is a big part of their treatment plan. Historically, patient adherence to therapy has been low. By attaching therapists to primary care and working together as a team, we see many more patients taking part in treatment. Feedback from patients has been positive, and the depression and anxiety scores are improving at a much quicker rate.
Our priority is always the provider-patient relationship. The current state of healthcare is fragmentation. There are a multitude of reasons for that, some of which were introduced to provide access to patients, like telemedicine. One of the unintended consequences is that patients feel as though they don’t belong to anyone in terms of their overall care. We envision our role at OneHealth to bring care back under primary care as the owner of the team.
Paul Klotman, president, CEO and executive dean of Baylor College of Medicine
Mental health has indeed become a critical concern, further highlighted by the pandemic, though challenges existed even prior. Our approach includes leveraging telemedicine and telehealth, which have proven effective and preferable for many patients seeking mental health services. This adaptation during the pandemic has paved the way for the sustained use of telehealth, facilitating improved access to mental health support.
We’re also at the forefront of addressing adolescent depression, which was exacerbated during the pandemic, through a significant state grant. This initiative places us among the major contributors to this cause.
The broader challenge lies in the inadequate reimbursement for mental health services, necessitating national intervention to sustain these essential services. Our hope is for ongoing efforts to enhance support for mental health services nationwide.
Laura Gwyn, managing director and principal at Perkins&Will
In the realm of behavioral health, our firm has been actively involved in destigmatizing mental health and supporting patients in need. Our partnership with Durham Regional Hospital, affiliated with Duke Health, allowed us to consolidate services and create a specialized space for mental health patients. This project addressed the critical need for both inpatient and outpatient care, establishing a destination within the community to meet the unique needs of behavioral health patients.
A trend we are seeing beyond the healthcare industry is that clients, particularly in learning, recreation, healing, and workplace environments, are increasingly seeking spaces that cater to neurodiversity, allowing individuals to thrive within their surroundings. This involves designing spaces that accommodate both quiet and socially active settings, recognizing the importance of offering a spectrum of choices for individuals.
The integration of neurodiversity principles into design has a profound impact on individual well-being and stress levels in the workplace. Creating environments that support diverse working styles contributes not only to overall health but also enhances employee retention and positively influences various performance metrics. This holistic approach to design acknowledges the unique needs and preferences of individuals, fostering a more inclusive and supportive work environment.
For more information visit:
https://psychhub.com/
https://piedmontpark.org/
https://onehealthconsultinggroup.org/
https://www.bcm.edu/
https://perkinswill.com/
