Access to Mental and Behavioral Health Care

Why is this a priority?

Mental and behavioral health services can properly address those affected by adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) (early stressful or traumatic events shown to negatively affect physical and mental health outcomes later in life).

Goal 2: Increase access to timely and appropriate care in mental health and behavioral health services

There is a need for increasing the availability of mental and behavioral health services along with improving the ability to reduce wait times and ensuring that the level of care is commensurate with what is needed. One key area to providing support to those in need is to improve the public's understanding of mental health and mental wellness and the services available to support individuals and families in the community. There will be an increase of peer and family partners on treatment teams in addition to the expansion of family support services. Additional efforts will focus on providing linguistically and culturally appropriate treatment services to reduce barriers based on language and cultural differences. Mental and behavioral health services will be coordinated with primary care when appropriate. Quality improvement work will focus on reducing wait times between first contact and first psychiatric appointment. Integrated care will be provided at primary clinics, providing therapy and psychiatry services for persons with mild to moderate mental illness, and expand upon the Integrated Behavioral Health Program in the County Federally Qualified Center.

Goal 2 Health Indicators

The following health indicators help track Santa Cruz County's progress and current status on increasing access to mental and behavioral health services.
Compared to CA Counties, Santa Cruz has a value of 11.6 which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value lower than 12.0 while counties in the worst 25% have a value higher than 20.6. Compared to CA Counties, Santa Cruz has a value of 11.6 which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value lower than 12.0 while counties in the worst 25% have a value higher than 20.6.
Age-Adjusted Death Rate due to Suicide
Compared to CA Counties, Santa Cruz has a value of 20.2% which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value lower than 20.9% while counties in the worst 25% have a value higher than 24.1%. Compared to CA Counties, Santa Cruz has a value of 20.2% which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value lower than 20.9% while counties in the worst 25% have a value higher than 24.1%.
Adults Who Ever Thought Seriously About Suicide

County: Santa Cruz

(Compared to CA Counties)

 
          Objective 2.1                    
Increase the use of family and peer support services to those receiving care by 2023.

How We Will Accomplish This Objective

Improve public understanding of mental health and wellness

Jan
2023

  • Expand family support services to ensure family involvement in treatment and collaborative care

  • Increase the availability of Peer and Family Partners on treatment teams

 
          Objective 2.2                    
Ensure the availability of bilingual staff to provide services to monolingual Spanish speaking clients at least 80% of the time without the need for an interpreter by 2023.

How We Will Accomplish This Objective

Ensure that services are based on culturally and linguistically appropriate standards

Jan
2023

  • Increase availability of services in more than one language

  • Develop, implement, and provide culturally and trauma informed outreach and trainings

 
          Objective 2.3                    
The average wait time for a routine psychiatry appointment will be no longer than 15 business days for 85% of the patients needing an appointment by 2023.

How We Will Accomplish This Objective

Increase the availability of a full-spectrum services from prevention and early intervention to ongoing treatment services

Jan
2023

  • Decrease time between initial contact and first psychiatric appointment

  • Fill vacant psychiatry positions

  • Provide integrated care at primary clinics, provide therapy for persons with mild to moderate mental illness, and expand upon the Integrated Behavioral Health Program in the County FQHC

Santa Cruz