The Critical Role of Psychology in an Integrated Primary Care Model - Presented by Division 17

The Critical Role of Psychology in an Integrated Primary Care Model - Presented by IAAP Division 17

The cost of mental illness to society is massive – from both an economic standpoint and from its impact on individual health, wellbeing and relationships. By 2030, the largest economic health burden globally will be due to mental illness – greater than heart disease, cancer, diabetes and respiratory diseases combined. 

Here’s the issue: even with such a large and growing impact on overall health, mental health is typically treated outside of the primary care models that address physical health concerns so proactively and efficiently. 

But that model is changing fast – and psychologists have a key role to play in working alongside family physicians and other primary care workers to integrate mental health assessments and treatments into team-based care.Both the United Nations and World Health Organization have called for the greater promotion of mental health and wellbeing, primarily through local primary careinterventions. 

Learn more about this emerging and exciting area of practice. Professor James Bray (Division 17 Immediate Past President) and Dr. Robyn Vines (current Division President) provide an overview of primary care psychology and answer questions from the Convenor, Professor Lyn Littlefield, about the details of this work. The panel will also highlight current developments at the UN with the IAAP “Integrated Mental Health Care Initiative.