Improving mental well-being is a priority at Intermountain Health across the enterprise. Some of Intermountain’s leaders were vital participants in developing the Behavioral Health Assessment & Master Plan, a groundbreaking initiative to address the behavioral health crisis in Utah.
This plan, which the Utah Behavioral Health Coalition developed, resulted from an extensive environmental scan and assessment of the barriers and inequities related to providing and accessing behavioral health services in the state.
The executive summary of the master plan, published earlier this year, recommends key strategic priorities that will increase equity, value, alignment and access to prevention, treatment and recovery support.
“This plan unifies Intermountain Health and other mental health organizations around a shared vision of improving equitable access to high-quality behavioral health services and supports for Utahns,” said Tammer Attallah, executive clinical director of Intermountain Health's Behavioral Health clinical program.
In March, the Utah Legislature, acting on the plan recommendations, passed a bill to create a statewide Behavioral Health Commission. Its purpose is to better coordinate all the work happening across the state.
According to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, the Commission will be the central authority for coordinating behavioral health initiatives between state and local governments, health systems, and other entities to ensure Utah’s behavioral health systems are comprehensive, aligned, effective and efficient.
Tammer, who was recently appointed as a member of the Commission, along with a few other Intermountain leaders, says the group could bring about important changes.
"Behavioral Health is a team sport,” Tammer said. “It requires the participation of many stakeholders within and outside of healthcare. Participation on the Utah’s Behavioral Commission provides for us, as a major health system, is to work with private or public stakeholders, legislators, and those with lived experiences to design, coordinate and align the high-quality behavioral healthcare to Utahns. It’s an honor and privilege to represent Intermountain Health in this exciting work.”
He said the Commission could bring about a system that reduces stigma and discrimination for people with mental health conditions and will allow people to be more comfortable getting care.
For example, more people may be able to access integrated or collaborative care in their doctor’s office or receive prevention and early intervention services for their children or loved ones that may delay the onset of illness or eliminate it. Warm handoffs between providers and levels of care can help make sure people get the support they need following a behavioral health crisis, so they don’t end up back in emergency services.
Tammer will be working closely with Intermountain region leaders to identify and ensure the work has alignment with the behavioral health strategy and work happening across our hospitals and medical groups.
“Our leaders and caregivers can be proud of the role we played in shaping the master plan and the strategic priorities in alignment with the needs identified in our Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) and what we see in our communities,” said Lisa Nichols, vice president of Community Health at Intermountain Health. “It has been a pleasure to join the Utah Hospital Association, Leavitt Partners, Odyssey House, local mental health authorities, and so many other engaged organizations to set the stage for coordinated public/private work to improve mental well-being in the communities we serve.”
“This coordinated effort represents a significant achievement for all involved,” Lisa added. “As different groups and organizations throughout the state come together, Intermountain will continue to play a vital role, helping to shape a brighter future for the communities we serve, where access to high-quality behavioral health care is a reality for all.”