Behavioral Health: Adult Populations

Mondays 8-9 AM

Behavioral health issues, including suicide, depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders, represent a significant and growing public health challenge for adults in Illinois. Nearly 30% of adults in Illinois report symptoms of depression and/or anxiety (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2023). Suicide remains the 13th leading cause of death in the state (IDPH, 2022). Although Illinois’s overall suicide rate is below the national average, it has been rising, particularly among high-risk populations such as middle-aged men, older adults, military veterans, racial and sexual minorities, individuals with chronic illness or pain, and those with existing mental health or substance use conditions. Notably, men are four times more likely to die by suicide than women (IDPH, 2022), often due to more lethal means such as firearms (Russell & Judd 1999). While there is a great need for behavioral health care, there is a shortage of mental health professionals to meet these needs. It is estimated that only about 22% of mental health needs in Illinois can be met by the current workforce capacity (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2023). Barriers can also prevent individuals from accessing care.  Nearly one-third of Illinois adults that reported anxiety and/or depression symptoms in the Kaiser Family Foundation study reported needing counseling or therapy but not being able to receive it in the prior month (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2023). Untreated or inadequately managed mental illness and suicide risk result in increased morbidity and mortality, lost productivity, and higher healthcare costs. For many adults, especially in medically underserved communities, the primary care setting serves as the main or only point of contact for mental health care. Research indicates that 45% of individuals who die by suicide have seen a primary care provider within the preceding month (Ahmedani et al, 2014; Hogan & Grumet, 2016). Another study suggests that individuals dying by suicide visit their primary care provider more than twice as often as they do a mental health provider (Luoma, Martin, & Pearson, 2002). Despite this, many PCPs report feeling under-skilled and inadequately trained to recognize, assess, and manage behavioral health conditions or suicide risk.

This series aims to train behavioral health providers and primary care providers in implementing evidence-based, patient-centered best practices related to behavioral health issues, including suicide, depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. ECHO sessions will be comprised of a short didactic and role-play simulation (20-25 minutes), followed by at least 2 participant-led case presentations (35-40 minutes).

Topics for Case-Based Learning and Discussion Include:

• Depression & Anxiety
• Bipolar Disorder
• PTSD
• Psychotic Illnesses
• Substance Use Disorders
• Personality Disorders
• Chronic Pain
• Common errors made in Primary Care: Psychiatric Misdiagnosis & mis-medication
• Common errors made in Primary Care: Escalating level of care too soon/too late
• Pre-post Hospitalization Care
• At-Risk Population