title: VA primary care-mental health integration: patient characteristics and receipt of mental health services, 2008-2010.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In 2007, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health system began nationwide implementation of primary care-mental health integration (PC-MHI) programs to enhance mental health access and promote treatment of common mental health conditions for patients in primary care settings. This report describes patients initiating PC-MHI services in fiscal years (FYs) 2008-2010, including those who received prior mental health services.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using VA administrative records, the investigators examined characteristics and services utilization of individuals who initiated PC-MHI services in FY 2008 (N=76,985), FY 2009 (N=107,417), or FY 2010 (N=149,938).
  
  
  RESULTS
  PC-MHI service initiation increased by 95%, from 76,985 to 149,938 veterans. Over time, new user cohorts were increasingly younger, newer to VA services, and less likely to have received VA mental health treatment in the prior year.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study documents substantial expansion in VA PC-MHI program activity. PC-MHI program expansion may increase access to mental health services in primary care settings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. vickij@umich.edu
authors.forename: Vicki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Johnson-Lawrence
authors.forename: Kara
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zivin
authors.forename: Benjamin R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Szymanski
authors.forename: Paul N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Pfeiffer
authors.forename: John F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: McCarthy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care; D014481:United States; D014493:United States Department of Veterans Affairs; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult