ICSI Forum Spotlights Integration Of Behavioral Health and Primary Care

ICSI brought together more than 60 stakeholders who have been involved with the DIAMOND and SBIRT programs for a learning action forum on September 26, 2013. The “Evolving Integrated Care” forum focused on three areas: celebrating the stakeholders’ accomplishments over the past seven years in integrating behavioral health and primary care; engaging stakeholders on the impact of their work to date and opportunities for improving depression and substance use care in primary care; and exploring innovative strategies to sustain successful integrated care moving forward.

Presenters and panel discussions provided the perspectives of patients, medical clinics, health plans and employers, researchers, state government representatives, data analysts and communities.

The interactive portion of the forum challenged attendees to envision “what might be” if Minnesota stakeholders continue to successfully integrate behavioral/physical health care, and ended with attendees sharing actions they would take toward determining “what will be.” Watch for more information about this event and the ideas put forth for how we continue Minnesota’s nation-leading work in this area.