Presenting Author: Kate Fox, MPH, Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services

ABSTRACT

Over 25% of Philadelphians live below the Federal Poverty Level and more than one third of the population is eligible for Medical Assistance. Though the traditional model of behavioral healthcare focuses on treating individuals with diagnosable behavioral health conditions, service providers must begin to recognize and address the social determinants of behavioral health and wellness.

This poster presentation will highlight cross-systems initiatives that the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS) is employing to advance a population health approach to behavioral healthcare. This includes a citywide implementation of Mental Health First Aid, a public training initiative designed to improve community members' awareness and decrease stigma regarding mental health. DBHIDS has also launched an expansive behavioral health screening program meant to engage individuals not currently in treatment. Together, these programs comprise a preventative, population-based approach to behavioral health care by simultaneously reducing stigma through a public awareness as well as encouraging Philadelphians to seek treatment.

This poster will explore data and highlight evaluative efforts of the Health Promotion Unit, including the citywide behavioral health indicators report; implications of the online behavioral health screening program; and assessment of the Mental Health First Aid training experience.

Finally, the poster will discuss the lessons learned and outline future objectives in the implementation of a systems-level population health approach to behavioral healthcare.

Author: Kate Fox, MPH.