Mental Health Staffing at HRSA-Funded Health Centers May Improve Access to Care
What does this study add? The study examined health center mental health staffing and found that health centers need at least one full-time mental health provider (regardless of provider type) to significantly increase the likelihood that patients who need mental health care will access these services onsite or in the community. The researchers analyzed data from the 2014 Health Center Patient Survey (HCPS)) and the 2013 Uniform Data System (UDS).
What are the implications for the Health Center Program? Follow-up initiatives should evaluate the effects of increasing funding to co-locate mental health staff on mental health care access for health center patients.