Mental Health & Ambulatory Clinics: Virtual Partnerships Fill a Critical Gap

Access to mental health care is a critical issue affecting nearly every geographic region in the U.S. The problem is even more pronounced in rural areas and among patients with severe conditions. Considering nearly half of individuals with a mental health concern do not or are unable to seek help, it’s no wonder that many states and public health leaders have advocated for broader screening measures in settings like ambulatory clinics.

While well-intentioned, these broader screening measures have inadvertently exacerbated access issues. Primary care, oncology, and maternity clinics now face a growing administrative burden and, more concerningly, find themselves managing complex mental health cases beyond their scope. Virtual care partnerships offer a solution to this growing gap in care. 

The time is now

The increase in demand for mental health services, coupled with higher rates of severity and a limited number of psychiatric providers, has created a bottleneck in the healthcare system. For ambulatory clinics, the influx of patients with behavioral health needs, paired with limited referral options, is contributing to clinician burnout.

This widespread challenge is especially acute in states like Massachusetts, where primary care providers are mandated to screen children with MassHealth insurance for behavioral health conditions. Despite their best efforts, teens are often waiting six months or more to access care. Elsewhere around the country, clinics hesitate to screen patients at all, delaying treatment and risking preventable crises.

It doesn’t have to remain this way. Empowering ambulatory settings with direct referral pathways to trusted virtual providers can relieve this pressure and ensure timely, effective care for all.

How a comprehensive virtual partner can help

If your clinic is struggling with access challenges, new screening protocols, or a rise in behavioral health needs, a comprehensive virtual partner can help. By partnering with Brightside Health for referrals, you can unblock effective mental health screening and address the needs of your patients sooner.

Benefits include:

• Seamless referral pathways

Our simple workflow integration reduces the administrative burden and lets your clinicians focus on patient care. With insurance coverage for over 130 million people and appointments available in as little as 2 days, patients can quickly and easily access affordable care.

• Comprehensive care

Brightside Health provides care for teens, adults, and seniors. We treat mild to severe conditions, including suicide risk and substance use, ensuring all of your patients receive the appropriate treatment for their needs.

• Improved outcomes

By addressing mental health needs early in ambulatory settings, we can achieve better, lasting outcomes for all patients. Our high-quality care delivers proven results: 75% of patients achieve remission and 77% no longer experience suicidal thoughts after just 12 weeks.

Stronger together

At Brightside Health, we partner with organizations like yours to provide timely virtual mental health services for patients ages 13 and up. Get in touch today to learn more about our comprehensive mental health care solution. Together, we can ensure your patients receive the mental health care they need to thrive.