A warm handoff or transfer of care between a primary care physician and mental health provider can help improve access to mental health services for children and their families in low-income communities, according to a study published in Child & Youth Care Forum.

“Underserved populations face certain obstacles such as shortage of providers, family beliefs that cause stigma around mental health care, language barriers, lack of transportation, and lack of insurance. A warm handoff, someone who serves as a go-between for experts and patients, can ensure connections are made,” said principal investigator Quenette L. Walton, PhD, an assistant professor at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, Houston, Texas.

For the study, Dr Walton and colleagues looked at strategies used by clinical and other staff to improve the referral system for pediatric mental health care for low-income minority families in Los Angeles County. They conducted 11 semistructured interviews with 6 pediatric primary care physicians, 1 staff member from a federally qualified health center, 3 mental health providers, and 1 mental health staff member.

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The interviews revealed 3 key themes for helping children and families access mental health care. First, effective communication (phone calls, emails, written reports, etc.) improved access to mental health services. Second, effective coordination of services required knowing how to make the referral process more efficient so providers could easily discuss and implement shared treatment. Third, effective collaboration included a warm handoff, in which someone assisted patients in navigating the system and providers in developing a shared care plan.

“It takes several times for people to really buy into the need for mental health care. So, if we can be more intentional in our efforts to get people access to resources they need, despite their challenges, then they will feel valued and more likely to come in for services,” Dr Walton advised. “Just an additional 5 or 10 minutes makes a difference for a patient.”

—Jolynn Tumolo

References

Walton QL, Bromley E, Porras-Javier L, Coker TR. Building bridges: primary care and mental health providers’ perspectives on a behavioral health collaborative intervention among underserved populations. Child Youth Care Forum. Published online July 3, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10566-021-09638-w

Tubbs S. Improving access to mental health services in low-income communities. News release. University of Houston. July 20, 2021. Accessed July 26, 2021.