Seventy-five percent of children with diagnosed mental health disorders are seen in the primary care setting, yet most primary care physicians lack the tools and resources to effectively identify and treat mental health problems. Recent recommendations, emerging evidence and policy trends support integration of mental health into primary care but require considerable buy-in and changes to current practice structures and financing mechanisms on the part of providers and health plans. This issue paper examines the landscape for mental health service delivery to children, including a discussion of the role of federal and state agencies, as well as public and private insurance. With the aim of informing and facilitating discussions on how mental health care can be fully integrated into pediatric primary care, the issue brief reviews information on mental health programs, practices and guidelines, and discusses strategies health plans can utilize to improve early identification and treatment for children in primary care.
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