Name
H06 - Designing and implementing an efficient, effective and successful integrated behavioral health program in a rural community hospital system by focusing on the unmet needs of all involved.
Date & Time
Friday, October 9, 2026, 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Location Name
Regency B (2nd Floor)
Description

This presentation will focus on how the mental health crisis effected a rural community hospital system in East Central Illinois. We will show how everyone from the board of directors to the patient have been affected by the shortage of care. Using a panel discussion led by a psychiatrist/board member, hospital CEO, clinic director, family physician, and a family member we will illustrate how focusing on the unmet needs of all involved lead to the production of a successful integrated behavioral health program that was both efficient and effective. We will focus on what has been accomplished by implementing this initiative and reflect on issues that need to be addressed in order to sustain the viability of the program.

Content Level
All Audience
Tags
Innovations, Medical, Rural
Session Type
Concurrent
Experience how the shortage of mental health services affects providers, administrators, board members, patients and family members.
Experience how focusing on the unmet needs of all individuals involved can lead to an efficient, effective, and highly satisfactory method of delivering behavioral health services.
Experience how being open to suggestions, opinions, and other perspectives can lead to a superior method of delivering mental health services.

Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center. (2018, 2021, 2024) Community health needs assessment 2018, 2021, 2024. https://www.sarahbush.org/

Smith, E. (2024). [2209563–1–2024 integrated behavioral health program primary care provider survey] [Published Manuscript]. University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria

BHGCON. (2019) Addressing Illinois' behavioral health workforce shortage [1–page brief ]. https://www.bhecon.org/wp–content/uploads/2019/06/IL–Workforce–Fact–Sheet.pdf