Integration of mental health into primary care improves patient outcomes and makes medical practice more satisfying. Primary healthcare is intended to improve the overall health and well-being of a community.
The main purpose of primary healthcare is to improve people's health by facilitating access to medical care. It also focuses on the individual as a whole rather than the disease of a specific organ or a particular concern. This system is intended towards improving overall health and wellbeing of a person in a community by preventing or resolving health problems that exist or may exist. It basically refers to care that is focussed on the needs of a population and can be accessed easily by a certain community. Oftentimes, the physical healthcare services like: treatment for common illnesses, cancer-related treatments, management of diabetes and heart disease and prevention of future health through advice, immunisation and awareness programmes are the basis of primary healthcare and are prioritised depending on the needs of the families. Hence, mental health, behavioral health and emotional health etc. becomes secondary or tertiary even though it is well-recommended by WHO (WHO,2001).
Mental disorders affect millions of individuals across the world and, if left untreated or unmanaged, create an enormous toll of suffering, pain and even economic loss. Concurring withNational Institute of Health (nd), persistent ailments such as cancer, heart conditions, or even diabetes might lead to psychological conditions. Despite research showing positive results of mental health therapies, it continues to get low priority. Only a small minority of people receive even the most basic treatment. Now, this could be lack of awareness and more obviously the lack of availability within primary healthcare services. Most of the mental health services provided are limited in nature and often considered secondary or tertiary healthcare. At primary healthcare level, there is still inadequacy that requires urgent attention.
Fully integrating mental health in primary care is the gold standard for care as it is one of the most practical and applicable means of closing the treatment gap and ensuring that every individual receive the healthcare they need as a whole. It ensures that everyone has the opportunity to address both their physical and their mental health needs as a part of primary care.
Benefits of integrating mental health services in primary healthcare
There are numerous examples of successful applications and practices where primary healthcare and mental health professionals have come together to integrate physical and mental health provision. There are several beneficial aspects that come out, some of which include:
