PAPER# 12: Current State of Collaborative Mental Health Care
What can we learn from the research, literature review, surveys and consultations about the current status of collaborative mental health care?
There is a growing awareness of the critical importance of quality mental health service delivery within primary health care. This overview provides a synthesis of nine reports commissioned by the Canadian Collaborative Mental Health Initiative to identify the current state of collaborative mental health care.
The Facts
- Nearly one in five Canadians experiences a mental illness each year.
- Many Canadians do not receive professional mental health care. The majority that seek help see their family doctor or other primary health care provider.
- Health care providers may not have the knowledge, skills or time to provide mental health care.
- Consumers may not have access to the range of mental health services due to a lack of awareness or coordination among primary health care providers.
The Research
- Interest in collaborative mental health care is growing internationally.
- All Canadian provinces and territories are involved in primary and mental health care reform.
- Aboriginal peoples and rural/remote communities face particular challenges in accessing mental health care.
- There is limited formal education in interdisciplinary collaboration.
- The literature identifies numerous benefits in collaborative mental health care for consumers, providers and the broader health system.
The Experience
- Collaborative mental health care is increasing across Canada in a variety of approaches.
- New opportunities are being created to transfer knowledge among primary health care providers, mental health specialists and consumers, families and caregivers.
- Collaborative care initiatives need better support in the areas of funding, government policy and education.
- Involving consumers, families and caregivers in collaborative mental health care is a growing trend that requires strengthening.
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