ABSTRACT

This chapter explores the implications of behavioral health integration for mental health care disparities, and examines the role of community health centers. It provides an introduction to the magnitude of mental illness and disparities in mental health care, followed by an analysis of community-based mental health services. Community resiliency, equity, and community social capital are presented as promising approaches for leveraging community mental health under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), followed by policy and practice implications. These community-based resiliency, equity and community social capital approaches provide guidelines and a road map to improve access to care, mental health and emotional well-being. Community health centers have an important role in the implementation of the ACA and in the provision of behavioral health services, including mental health services. The transformation of the health care delivery system under the ACA provides a window of opportunity for early identification through routine and comprehensive screening and timely intervention.