Prevalence of Psychiatric Symptoms/Syndromes in Medical Settings

Mental health and substance use disorders, or behavioral health (BH) disorders, are common and associated with significant morbidity, disability, and health-care costs. However, BH services are not adequate to meet this need. BH care in the general medical sector has increased substantially in the last decade. However, such care tends to lack adequate evidence-based mental health treatment despite a growing evidence base. Moreover, behavioral and medical conditions tend to co-occur, and thus, patients with combined needs are often seen in medical settings. BH and medical conditions are risk factors for one another, and each complicates the course and treatment of the other. Based on these observations, it is essential that we integrate mental health and medical care delivery to improve access, care, and reduce cost.