Integrated Behavioral Care

“Mental health issues can touch people’s lives in unexpected ways. For example, people diagnosed with diabetes or other chronic illnesses often experience depression. But with short-term counseling, these patients can feel better and take a more active, effective role in their care.”

– Lewis W. Eirinberg, MD, Family Medicine

Primary Care

Now, with Integrated Behavioral Health, a CHI Health Clinic is an ideal place to receive help. That’s because a Behavioral Health Specialist is available onsite to provide assessments, offer short-term counseling, coordinate longer-term services -- and answer questions. It’s a friendly, compassionate approach to connecting people with services which will improve their lives.

How it Works

  • Patient sees their CHI Health Clinic primary care provider or other specialist within the clinic.
  • Health care provider and patient identify an issue to address.
  • Behavioral Health Specialist meets patient during primary care visit.
  • Behavioral Health Specialist describes services and performs a brief assessment.
  • Together, a course of action is determined such as a follow-up visit with Behavioral Health Specialist (typically 3-5 sessions) or a referral for services (longer-term counseling, addiction recovery services, etc.)

For Patients of All Ages and a Variety of Issues and Disorders

  • Adjustment issues (depression, anxiety as a result of illness, job or relationship loss, death, etc.)
  • Depression (major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, postpartum depression, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, seasonal affective disorder, atypical depression)
  • Bipolar disorders (bipolar I and II)
  • Anxiety disorders (generalized anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety, phobias)
  • Substance abuse and/or addiction
  • Chronic pain
  • Eating disorders
  • Mood and personality disorders
  • Psychotic disorders (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder)
  • Medical condition-related issues (motivation/compliance)

Part of the Team-based Care Approach at CHI Health Clinic

Patients can access integrated behavioral care through a referral from their primary care provider or other specialty within the clinic. Here, a multidisciplinary, team-based approach is designed to help patients achieve their wellness goals.

School-based Services

Untreated behavioral and emotional needs form barriers to learning for students, and, if untreated, can impact the entire classroom and family. The Integrated School-Based Mental Health Program (ISBMH) was started in response to discussions with elementary school principals regarding the mental health needs of school children. Licensed mental health counselors have been placed in schools to improve access to mental health services for children and families who have need of counseling support.

Goal

The program’s goal is to bring mental health services to a convenient, accessible, and familiar environment. While mental health services are provided in your child’s school, privacy is strongly maintained.

The ISBMH program has placed a licensed independent mental health professional (LIMHP) in each school to address the needs of children who are not able to access mental health services. The LIMHP provides mental health assessments, individual therapy, family therapy, classroom assessments, care coordination for children who require more intensive services, and educational presentations for parents and teachers. The LIMHP also can work with the teacher to help the child in meeting academic performance goals.

Locations

Currently ISBMH has counselors at the following schools:

  • DC Schools
    401 South Pine St., Valley, NE 68064
    (402) 359-2583
  • Holy Name Elementary
    2901 Fontenelle Blvd Omaha, NE 68104
    (402) 451-5403
  • Kellom Elementary
    1311 North 24th St Omaha, NE 68102
    (402) 344-0441 ext. 1015

How To Access Services

Referrals for a student to begin seeing a licensed independent mental health professional in the school can be made from a family member, case worker, school administrator, or teacher. Once permission from a parent or legal guardian has been completed, the child can begin mental health services. Information about mental health services and payment will be discussed before services begin with an opportunity for questions to be answered.

Telepsychiatry

Since 2010 CHI Health Psychiatric Associates has been providing Telepsychiatry services to rural and underserved communities where there is often limited access to specialty mental health services.

Visits

Appointment connection is over a high-speed network that is secure, encrypted and private. Our clinically-trained staff, including physicians, nurse practitioners, psychologists and therapists, will listen to you and work to identify the service that best meets you or your loved one’s unique needs. Every situation is different, and our program highlights include: medication management, individual therapy and family therapy. Involvement of supports is encouraged; including family, support worker, etc.

Benefits

  • Improved access to mental health services for assessment and ongoing treatment.
  • Improved quality of mental health care.
  • Better integration of mental health services into the patient’s health care more generally.
  • Convenience and savings of money and time by not having to travel far to see a specialist.
  • Receive services closer to home.
  • Reduced travel
  • Reduced time off work
  • Excellent quality of care and the same care as seeing a physician face-to face.
  • Improved continuity of care and follow-up.
  • Both patients and providers using telehealth equipment have had very positive feedback

Resources

Information and Referral Line
(402) 717-HOPE
(800) 930-0031 (Kearney area)

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988
Chat online with a crisis counselor

Nebraska Family Helpline
1 (888) 866-8660

Safe Harbor Warm Line
(402) 715-4226

Video library