Recognizing early signs of mental health problems and helping parents know when a behavioral or emotional issue needs professional help are crucial for healthy development and well-being of children and adolescents.
That’s why at Children’s Minnesota we integrate behavioral health professionals into our primary care setting so we ensure children get the care they need when they need it most.
What is integrated behavioral health (IBH)?
Integrated behavioral health connects medical and behavioral health clinicians together to collaborate with each other and their patients and families to address medical conditions and related behavioral health factors that affect health and well-being.
Children’s Minnesota’s behavioral health specialists (psychologists, social workers, counselors) work closely with primary care providers (pediatricians, nurse practitioners) to provide coordinated, convenient and cost-effective behavioral health services for children and adolescents at their primary care clinics.
What types of behaviors can behavioral health specialists treat?
- Parent-child conflict.
- Parenting concerns/support.
- Mood/depression.
- School problems.
- Sleep concerns.
- Trauma.
What are the benefits of IBH?
Easy access to individual and family therapy services
Behavioral health specialists see patients at primary care clinics or can connect with your family virtually via telehealth appointment. In addition, families can get support from behavioral health specialists during well-child check-ups and other appointments as needs arise.
IBH allows parents to address questions about their children’s emotional and behavioral health without making a separate appointment with a specialist.
Coordinated care
IBH can help coordinate care between other services (medical, behavioral health, school, community, etc.) and can bridge between outpatient behavioral health services.
This will also help with minimizing health care costs because it is integrated within primary care clinics.
Improved health outcomes
IBH benefits children and families because it improves outcomes for children’s behavioral and emotional health and well-being.
Children’s Minnesota integrated behavioral health
Integrated behavioral health is an extremely important part of a child’s well-being and development. That’s why Children’s Minnesota makes it easy for you and your child to meet with our specialists during a primary care visit.
To make an appointment, call your primary clinic or discuss IBH with your primary care provider at your next visit.