Marion, Ind. (June 14, 2023) - On Tuesday, June 13, 2023,
The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) announced that Marion Health is one of 30 entities that will receive
funding from the Opioid Settlement Match Grant. Marion Health will receive
$224,000 in funding. The FSSA Division of Mental Health and Addiction
is focused on promoting innovative, community-driven responses to address
substance use disorder issues. The funding Marion Health is receiving
through the grant will assist in facilitating an expansion of access to
mental health care by adding additional team members to include another
psychologist and behavioral health therapists.
In rural communities, over 65% of individuals only receive mental health
treatment from their primary care physician. Over 80% of the individuals
seen in primary care with behavioral health needs who are referred to
mental health services do not present for treatment (Robinson, 2016). Inclusion of psychologists and therapists in primary care reduces obstacles
to engagement and allows more individuals to be seen.
Marion Health has been innovative in its approach to addressing the needs
of the community by employing a Primary Care Psychologist who sees patients
for psychological testing and short-term therapy. This has facilitated
a collaborative approach between Primary Care Providers and the psychologist
to identify mental health concerns earlier and provide a higher level
of support services for patients. Having a psychologist in the primary
care setting can reduce the stigma of mental health services. In a medical
setting, having access to a psychologist who can assist with accurately
identifying diagnoses such as ADHD, bipolar disorder, trauma, depression,
anxiety, and/or alcohol or substance use also allows for a more accurate
medical treatment plan, as these diagnoses can present similarly but are
treated very differently medically. Also, substance and alcohol use disorders
rarely exist without comorbid mental health disorders., so if providers
are able to appropriately identify and effectively treat other mental
health conditions, this can lessen and potentially remove barriers to
engagement in care and improve treatment outcomes of alcohol and substance abuse.
Adding these additional mental health care team members will increase capacity
to address immediate needs in multiple locations. Expanding the model
of care will also reduce wait time for access to services. These mental
health providers can meet with patients at their medical provider's
offices and make direct referrals to appropriate community resources as
needed, including higher levels of care, longer-term therapy, etc.