Four Innovative Programs Recognized With APA Achievement Awards

APA recognized four programs at this year’s IPS: The Mental Health Services Conference with its Psychiatric Services Achievement Awards, annual prizes that recognize novel and/or creative models of service delivery to individuals with mental illness or substance use disorders. The 2016-2017 recipients featured groups dedicated to improving care for children, seniors, pregnant women, and youth with early psychosis—all vulnerable groups in need of improved mental health access and care.

These are the winners:

Perinatal depression is one of the most common complications of pregnancy—it’s about twice as common as gestational diabetes—yet it is dramatically overlooked and undertreated. The MCPAP for Moms program, based in Boston, seeks to build the capacity for OB-GYNs and other frontline providers to become comfortable at screening for and providing treatment for this disorder. Having now enrolled over 135 clinics in the commonwealth, the program is expanding to provide substance use services as well (Psychiatric News, June 2).

Older adults are the fastest growing population in the United States, but providing adequate mental health care is hindered by decreased mobility of seniors and a decreased desire to talk about feelings. The goal of the Manhattan-based SPOP is to reduce the barriers to engagement and provide the care needed to improve the independence and quality of life for seniors. One of the first agencies in the country to focus on the mental health of older adults, the SPOP offers many unique services including home-based care through partnerships with area hospitals and social service agencies.

Psychotic disorders affect about 1 percent of the population, but their chronic and debilitating nature means people with these disorders take up a disproportionate amount of hospital stays, long-term care, and financial resources. Numerous studies have shown that once psychosis occurs, early intervention is a key element of improved recovery, and the Washington Heights Community Program uses evidence-based coordinated care strategies to maximize the recovery process. The multidisciplinary OnTrackNY team provides individualized treatment for each patient, which includes therapy but also employment and education support, family support, and help with building social skills.

Mental health problems are the most common chronic illnesses with which pediatricians deal and for which they frequently report feeling undertrained. This collaboration among five university medical centers across New York state offers formal mental health education courses to primary care providers ranging from short webinars to a six-month CME fellowship known as REACH. In addition, this consortium oversees a single phone line that offers psychiatric consultation services using a standardized protocol. ■

More information on the award winners can be accessed in Psychiatric Services.