Integration of Behavioral Health and Primary Care Services for Women

Women have a higher rate of mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety, than men. Most women with mental health and substance use concerns present to primary or prenatal care rather than to specialty mental health care. Owing to unique barriers such as transportation, childcare, competing demands, and stigma, women also often prefer to receive mental health treatment from their obstetric or primary care provider. Given these considerations, integrated models of care are an important approach to increasing rates of identification and treatment of women’s behavioral health concerns. Women’s behavioral health care can be integrated into various settings including primary care, prenatal care, and community-based settings, and we summarize various integrated care models such as the Collaborative Care Model, Primary Care Behavioral Health Model, and Perinatal Psychiatry Access Programs.