Understanding Primary Care and Mental Health

Your mind and body form an interconnected system. That’s why it’s becoming increasingly common to see primary care physicians integrating mental health services into their medical practice. Not only can primary care providers offer screenings to help detect mental health conditions early, but they can also provide referrals to mental health specialists and assist with medication management.

Keep reading to learn more about how your AdventHealth Primary Care+ provider can address primary care and mental health needs, and how doing so can benefit your overall health.

The Link Between Primary Care and Mental Health

Although you may not realize it at first, how you feel physically can have a significant impact on your mental health and vice versa.

For example, people who have a mental health condition like depression are at an increased risk for heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and obesity. They’re also more likely to develop unhealthy habits like smoking, alcohol use disorder, illegal substance use or a sedentary lifestyle — all of which can have a detrimental impact on a person's physical health.

Similarly, people with a chronic condition like heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or arthritis are at a higher risk of developing mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and stress. People with these types of conditions may be in constant pain and feel socially isolated, which can also hurt their mental health.

Because of this deep connection between the two, your primary care provider is often on the front lines of addressing both your primary care and mental health concerns.

How Primary Care Physicians Address Mental Health

Your doctor can support your mental health in several ways, including, screenings, mental health management, medication management and referrals to specialists.

1. Screening for Mental Health Conditions

One of the first ways your primary care provider can help connect physical and mental health care is by offering screenings for the early detection of potential mental illness. They may ask you about your sleep patterns, anxiety, stress or other self-assessment questions to determine whether you need a referral or prescription.

2. Managing Mild to Moderate Mental Health Conditions

Your primary care provider can offer insights into how your primary care and mental health are connected to provide the best treatment options and care management, including prescription medications, lifestyle and behavioral recommendations and referrals to mental health specialists. If you or your doctor feel that you need ongoing mental health support, they may refer you to a mental health professional.

3. Referrals to Mental Health Specialists

During primary care visits, your primary care physician can provide initial support and medication management for mild to moderate symptoms of certain mental health conditions like anxiety.

However, if your symptoms are more severe and remain constant, you may need the guidance of a trained mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, therapist or social worker, to truly help. Your primary care provider can refer you to behavioral health professionals who can provide talk therapy, counseling and effective treatments.

And because there’s a direct link between physical care and mental health, your primary care provider will stay in direct contact with your mental health professional to ensure you're getting the help you need.

4. Integrating Mental Health With Chronic Disease Management

A chronic disease is a condition that lasts for more than a year and requires constant medical care. Receiving a diagnosis of a chronic disease like heart disease, fibromyalgia, inflammatory bowel disease or Type 2 diabetes can be very hard to adjust to and accept.

These chronic conditions can have a major impact on your mental health, leading to depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance use disorder or general stress.

Your primary care provider fully understands the connection between physical care and mental health in treating your chronic illness, and can help by offering coping strategies, symptom management and suggestions for lifestyle changes, behavioral health care referrals and medications as needed.

5. Telehealth and Mental Health Support

A telehealth visit is a doctor appointment conducted over video or phone conferencing rather than an in-person meeting at the doctor’s office. It’s become a popular option for those seeking mental health care since the pandemic. This is because virtual primary care visits offer flexibility when meeting with a therapist or psychiatrist. And meeting online rather than face-to-face can help a person work through some of the stigma surrounding mental health issues.

Telehealth visits are a great option for mental health check-ins and follow-ups with your AdventHealth Primary Care+ doctor due to their convenience, flexibility and sometimes lower health care costs.

Benefits of Integrating Mental Health Into Primary Care

There are many advantages to combining primary care and mental health care, including:

• A more comprehensive, whole-person health care model
• Easier access to mental health services and support
• Early mental health interventions offer better health outcomes
• Faster access to needed medication and other treatments
• Improved adherence to mental health treatment plans
• Patients feel more supported by their health care providers with behavioral health integration
• Reduced mental health crises requiring ER visits or hospitalizations
• Reduced stigma around seeking mental health care services
• Referrals to behavioral health providers, such as psychiatry, for a holistic treatment and collaborative care approach

Integrating Primary Care Into Mental Health

Your mental well-being is just as important as your physical health, which is why integrated behavioral health and physical care are so important. Schedule a visit with your AdventHealth Primary Care+ provider today to discuss and learn more about the connection between your primary care and mental health.