Pediatric Behavioral Health Integrated Care: Indiana Statewide Strategic Plan to Address the Growing Mental Health Crisis (PEDS-IBH)
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About
This research is designed to analyze the implementation and fidelity of Pediatric Integrated Behavioral Health (PEDS-IBH). PEDS-IBH is a multifaceted project designed to address the pediatric mental health crisis by providing prompt and continuing mental health resources to pediatric patients in the primary care setting. The belief is the best way to combat this crisis is through early detection and treatment. Primary care providers (PCP) play a vital role in helping youth with mental health disorders because most youth see their PCP on a yearly basis for their annual well-child visits. However, PCPs have many barriers to treating their young patients with mental health disorders: lack of training, resources, and support to deliver interventions, limited time with patients, and the only available referral options often come with long wait times for an appointment or are at a distance to far for the patient to travel.
Indiana University Health (IU Health) has sought to address these concerns by implementing the PEDS-IBH program in 25 different pediatric primary care sites throughout the state of Indiana. Each location will focus on early detection through screening and will have an assigned social worker with either a bachelors or master's level degree. Social workers will administer FIRST or MATCH therapy respectively to those who have been referred and meet the qualifications within the patient's "home" IU Health Clinic. The goal of this project is to learn if clinics participating in PEDS-IBH will increase in early detection and delivery of effective youth mental health treatment. Ultimately leading to better health outcomes when compared to standard primary care detection and treatment.
The research portion of PEDS-IBH has three aims, (Aim 1) Evaluate the implementation of the Peds IBH program including the uptake/adoption of and fidelity to the program. (Aim 2) Explore the facilitators and barriers to the implementation of the Peds IBH program. (Aim 3) Compare youth connection to behavioral health care pre- and post-implementation of the Peds IBH program, including time from referral to engagement in behavioral health services and use of emergency department, inpatient, and residential placements. The research team will interview and survey willing PCP's, clinic managers, and other clinic staff to gather information to address the aforementioned aims.
Full description
The mental health crisis in the United States and in Indiana is growing at a rapid and alarming pace. Indiana ranks 43rd in behavioral health workforce availability and 23rd in youth prevalence of mental illness. With suicide being the 2nd leading cause of death among children ages 10-14 in Indiana and the growing rate of substance use and abuse, this project is focused on addressing mental health issues before the issues reach crisis levels.
The PEDS-IBH project is a comprehensive initiative aimed at addressing the growing mental health needs of pediatric patients by integrating timely and ongoing behavioral health support directly into primary care. Providers can refer children to the program when mental health, behavioral, or substance use concerns are identified-whether raised by the patient or caregiver, observed by the provider, or uncovered through routine screening. A key component of the program is universal mental health screening, which helps normalize behavioral health care as part of overall wellness. Clinics involved in the PEDS-IBH initiative use the K-CAT (Kiddie Computer Adaptive Test), a validated, adaptive screening tool for children ages 7 to 17, to assess a range of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, ADHD, conduct disorders, and suicidality, based on both self and caregiver reports.
When concerns are identified, children can be referred to virtual Riley therapy groups or in-clinic behavioral health providers trained to deliver evidence-based treatments like FIRST or MATCH, depending on their professional training level. FIRST is a structured, short-term intervention validated for children as young as five, focused on treating mild to moderate mental health symptoms by teaching key cognitive-behavioral skills. The program is designed to intervene early and efficiently, while also ensuring that children with more complex or severe concerns-such as suicidality or significant developmental conditions-are connected to appropriate higher-level specialty care. Through this model, PEDS-IBH enhances the pediatric medical home by supporting early identification, timely intervention, and coordinated mental health treatment.
By analyzing a multifaceted intervention designed to help change the cultural and procedural norms of the pediatric primary care setting regarding pediatric mental health treatment. This study looks to ensure the workforce in primary care clinics are equipped to detect and treat mental health disorders in a timely and convenient manner for their patients.
Pediatric primary care providers (PCPs) are well-positioned to play a vital role in managing adolescent mental health needs, as most youth attend annual well-child visits and PCPs are already engaged in treating mental health conditions. However, systemic barriers within primary care limit their ability to expand access to necessary behavioral health services. Many PCPs struggle to conduct adequate screening or assessment due to time constraints during appointments, making it difficult to implement even brief mental health interventions. Furthermore, while treatments and specialists may exist, workforce shortages in community-based behavioral healthcare often leave PCPs without viable referral options, compounding the challenge.
In addition to limited resources and training, PCPs may feel unqualified to independently address more complex mental health conditions, which can lead to uncertainty in how best to support affected adolescents. These challenges are exacerbated by persistent stigma within primary care settings, where providers and staff may hold negative attitudes toward individuals with behavioral health conditions, reducing their willingness to engage in necessary care. To overcome these barriers, empirically supported, team-based models are needed to shift norms within primary care, reduce stigma, and strengthen the behavioral health workforce to meet the evolving needs of adolescents.
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Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: For providers and staff recruited to complete surveys, focus groups, and/or interviews:
- member of participating pediatric primary care team in participating PEDS-IBH clinics
- at least 18 years old
- speaks and understanding English.
Inclusion Criteria for administrative data:
- patient at one of the participating pediatric primary care team
- 5-18 years old -
Exclusion Criteria:
- N/A
Trial design
575 participants in 2 patient groups
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Data sourced from clinicaltrials.gov
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