Associations Between Mental Health and Social Needs Among Black Patients in Primary Care Settings.

Abstract

Integrated Behavioral Health (IBH) clinics in primary care offer cost-effective options for receiving mental health (MH) support for Black patients. By tracking specific aspects of social determinants of health (SDOH), more commonly assessed in primary care, IBH programs can provide helpful insights to both MH and primary care providers. This retrospective study examined the impact of IBH care delivery on MH and social needs variables in a Black adult patient population. MH outcomes were assessed using the PHQ9 and GAD7, with a positive score being greater than 5. There were N = 119 Black patients included in analysis. The sample was 83% female and the average age at first visit was 41. There was a significant reduction in both GAD7 (change = -1.8, <i>P</i> < .001) and PHQ9 (change = -2.3, <i>P</i> < .001) scores for patients receiving IBH services. There were no significant differences between those who had a SDOH screen and having an initial elevated GAD7/PHQ9 score. More culturally inclusive research on the impact of IBH implementation where Black patients receive their primary care is needed to maximize treatment possibilities among this group.