A report by the University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability and New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Bureau of Behavioral Health enumerated numerous challenges facing the state’s behavioral health system and recommended a set of policy solutions. Among other challenges, the report highlights a lack of behavioral health expertise among primary care physicians, a lack of statewide parity in spite of state and federal parity laws, poor coordination between health care professionals, and poor outreach to the uninsured. The report recommends establishing better outreach programs for the mentally ill, enhancing care coordination through electronic health records (EHRs), requiring additional training in integrated care models, and creating more sustainable payment plans.

From the report:

New Hampshire residents living with mental illness have traditionally been served through distinctly separate programs. This "silo" approach to services is often counterproductive and makes it difficult to provide optimum care and treatment. Those with mental illness need a consistent and effective screening process, open and frequent communication between their mental health and physical health providers, greater access to behavioral health services, and improved coordination of care. The nationally recognized IMPACT and PRISM-E projects have demonstrated that models utilizing a more comprehensive and integrated approach to health care can have significant and lasting positive impacts on the life and well being of individuals living with mental illness.

Full report: New Hampshire's Prescription for Mental Health Care (PDF | 390.69 KB)

University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability and New Hampshire Dept. of Health and Human Services. (2009). New Hampshire's prescription for mental health care: comprehensive, integrated and coordinated health care. Antal, P.