Building Bridges: Primary Care and Mental Health Providers’ Perspectives on a Behavioral Health Collaborative Intervention Among Underserved Populations

Background Behavioral health interventions that support low-income children and their families in under-resourced communities have a positive impact on child development; however, few interventions exist that highlight approaches providers use to contribute to this positive development. Objective To identify key strategies used by pediatric primary care physicians (PCP) and specialty mental health providers to improve access to and engagement in mental health services for low-income children and their families engaged in behavioral health services. Methods Using the inductive constant comparative approach, researchers conducted 11 semistructured interviews with six PCPs, one staff member from a federally qualified health center (FQHC), and three mental health providers and one staff member from two local mental health clinics. Results Three main themes were identified that were used by PCPs and specialty mental health providers to improve access to and engagement in mental health services for low- income children and their families. Conclusions. These themes highlight how PCPs and specialty mental health providers engage in critical strategies to support their efforts to improve access to and engagement in mental health services for low-income children and their families. The present study offers evidence that identifying effective strategies for providers to improve access to and engage- ment in mental health services for low-income children and their families is an important step toward the national priority of integrating mental and behavioral health services into pediatric primary care.