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The Role of Community Health Centers in Providing Behavioral Health Care

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Abstract

The prevalence of behavioral health problems is higher for low-income individuals, yet this population is less likely to receive behavioral health treatment. Community health centers have their advantages as behavioral health-care providers because they serve a majority low-income population and are located in medically underserved areas. Their role in providing behavioral health care is expected to expand under health reform as they are expected to double their patient capacity, and due to increased insurance coverage for individuals with behavioral health problems. However, the ability of community health centers to provide behavioral health care is compromised by provider shortages and funding shortfalls.

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Notes

  1. Percentages for the mental health variables are from Tables 1.3B, 1.8B, and 1.25B, available at http://www.samhsa.gov/data/NSDUH/2k10MH_Findings/2k10MH_DTables/TOC.htm. Percentages for the substance abuse variables are from our analysis of NSDUH data from http://www.icpsr.umich.edu/cgi-bin/SDA/SAMHDA/hsda?samhda+32722-0001.

  2. As defined by HRSA at http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/shortage/hpsas/designationcriteria/mentalhealthhpsaoverview.html

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Acknowledgments

This project was supported by the Geiger Gibson/RCHN Community Health Foundation Research Collaborative.

Conflict of Interest

None declared.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health Policy, George Washington University, 2021 K Street NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC, 20006, USA

    Peter Shin PhD, MPH, Jessica Sharac MSc MPH & D. Richard Mauery MS, MPH

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  1. Peter Shin PhD, MPH
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  2. Jessica Sharac MSc MPH
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  3. D. Richard Mauery MS, MPH
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Correspondence to Peter Shin PhD, MPH.

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Shin, P., MSc, J.S. & Mauery, D.R. The Role of Community Health Centers in Providing Behavioral Health Care. J Behav Health Serv Res 40, 488–496 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11414-013-9353-z

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