Recognizing that mental health is an essential part of overall well-being, Kaiser Permanente has worked to build a better model of mental health care over the last several years.
Kaiser Permanente offers a range of options for members’ mental health and substance-use conditions. Those options include psychiatry, individual therapy, family support, online tools, and more.
The approach focuses on early detection, personalized treatment, and patient empowerment. Anywhere members receive care — whether with primary care physicians or specialists — Kaiser Permanente screens for and responds to members’ mental health care needs.
“We leverage the power of our integrated system and the expertise of our physicians and therapists to deliver high-quality mental health and addiction medicine services as an equal and essential part of a person’s overall health care,” said Maria Koshy, MD, regional director of Behavior Health for Kaiser Permanente in Northern California.
Investing in resources
Since 2020, Kaiser Permanente has invested more than $1 billion to train and license new clinicians, expanding mental health services in California.
That investment has meant adding resources and growing the workforce of mental health professionals by 26%. The network of nearly 35,000 therapists, including internal and external providers, makes accessing mental health care easier and faster, said Agnes Amistoso, MS, regional director of mental health strategy and program operations. No referral is needed.
“We’re making it easier to access mental health and addiction support services,” Amistoso added.
The programs also make it convenient, keeping in mind that people are busy.
“We have also expanded and improved virtual care for those who prefer it — and are giving our members more choice than ever before, from everyday tools to individual and group therapy,” said Pria Joglekar, MD, regional medical director for virtual behavioral health.
The investment in mental health services continues.
Later this year, Northern California members will have a single phone number to call for most of their mental health support needs, including enlisting services for the first time, appointment scheduling, and general triage.
Through the Kaiser Permanente Mental Health Scholars Academy, The Kaiser Permanente School of Allied Health Sciences, and The Kaiser Permanente Northern California Psychiatry Residency Program, Kaiser Permanente is developing a strong pipeline of mental health clinicians. This pipeline is in response to the ongoing nationwide shortage of qualified mental health professionals and to help meet the increasing demand for mental health care.
“We know there’s still work to do, and we aren’t slowing down,” Dr. Koshy said. “Our commitment to building on this important work is stronger than ever because mental health is health.”
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