Research has suggested that implementing Collaborative Care increases
access to mental health care, provides better clinical outcomes and improves cost
effectiveness. Collaborative Care can effectively reduce the population
burden of mental illness.
Collaborative Care is a model of care whereby trained
mental health specialists, such as psychiatrists and psychologists support care
managers and family physicians to deliver care to people living with mental
health issues. The ultimate goal of this model is to deliver integrated, evidence-based
physical and mental health care to a defined population.
The Quality Improvementfor Collaborative Care (Qi4CC) research team conducted a study called
“Meaningfully involving service users in improving collaborative mental health
care” in Toronto and Thunder Bay. The study brought together people with
personal experiences of mental health challenges, with mental health providers
and community workers, family physicians, researchers, and other allies.
This research resulted in the development of the Mental
Health Toolkit
designed for people who are looking for help for their
mental health concerns.
The toolkit includes two workbooks:
1. SPEAKING WITH YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
This workbook is aimed at family doctors, nurse
practitioners, and allied healthcare providers such as social workers, nurses
and case managers in settings that support people with mental health concerns.
This workbook can be used to provide cues to people with lived experience of
mental health issues during appointments with their healthcare providers. It
allows people with mental health concerns to enhance communication and build
the therapeutic relationship (and does not replace the need for appointments).
The content can help to guide the conversation between clients and healthcare
providers regarding possible treatments, services, resources, and next steps.
Download workbook here!
Tips for use:
- include copies of the workbook in clinic exam
rooms and individual staff offices so it can be used during client
appointments.
- the content can help to orient clients to their
options and rights to access mental health supports.
- page 6 (resources) can be used to summarize and
write down key next steps arising from the appointment - next steps for both
the healthcare provider and for the client.
2. THINKING ABOUT TALKING WITH YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT YOUR
MENTAL HEALTH?
This workbook is aimed at people who are thinking about their mental health, who have concerns, and are contemplating or preparing to speak with their family doctor. Target users may not have had any kind of diagnosis, treatment, or support for their mental health, or they may want to revisit a concern because of a change or a new challenge.
Download workbook here!
Tips for use:
- include copies of the workbook in clinic waiting
rooms, exam rooms, individual staff offices, drop-ins and group sessions so
that clients can pick up a copy.
- provide a copy to clients meeting with family
doctors and other healthcare providers if they raise concerns about their
mental health.
Funding for this toolkit was provided by the Canadian Institutes
of Health Research (CIHR) Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR).
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How do you improve mental health care in primary care settings? Start with a collaborative care approach.