Behavioral Health in Primary Care

Practical Tools. Accessible, Flexible Behavioral Health Support.

Behavioral Health in Primary Care

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All children and families should have access to high-quality, collaborative behavioral health care. Nationwide Children's Hospital partners with primary care clinicians to deliver evidence-based resources, consultation and training that supports children and adolescents' behavioral health needs, right within the primary care medical home.

Kids and families feel most comfortable going to their pediatrician when they have concerns about development, behavior or emotions. But clinicians report they don’t have the time or training to fully address those needs. That’s why we created this suite of programs: to ensure primary care teams feel ready and confident to meet patients’ behavioral health needs.

These initiatives make a measurable impact. Primary care practices are enhancing behavioral health care and benefiting families across Central Ohio and beyond.

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Resources for Your Practice

From treatment guidelines for behavioral health conditions, to free resources through the Kids Mental Health Foundation, we offer resources for your practice.

Prescribing Guidelines for ADHD

This tool is designed to help primary care practitioners and behavioral health providers provide timely and effective treatment for children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

View ADHD Prescribing Guidelines

Prescribing Guidelines for Anxiety Disorders and Depression

This tool is designed to help primary care practitioners provide timely and effective treatment for children with mental health disorders.

View Prescribing Guidelines

Unified Preferred Drug List

Partners For Kids condensed Ohio Department of Medicaid's UPDL into commonly prescribed drug classes for pediatric primary care and behavioral health providers.

Access the UPDL

Kids Mental Health Foundation

Access free tools and mental health resources for parents and caregivers.

Get Free Tools & Resources

Kids Mental Health Foundation resources

Education & Training

Training. Mentorship. Connection. Telementoring programs, virtual webinars and on-demand courses give professionals various opportunities to learn and connect.

“For many providers, time and cost make quality behavioral health education hard to access. This program removes those barriers by offering free, on‑demand learning.”

– Jennifer Reese, PsyD, Nationwide Children’s

Behavioral Health Learning Library

The Behavioral Health Learning Library (BHLL) is a collection of interactive, on-demand courses for professionals.

Access the Learning Library

Behavioral Health Webinars

The Behavioral Health Webinar Series equips pediatricians with the knowledge and resources to support patients.

View Upcoming Webinars

Project ECHO

The Project ECHO: Behavioral Health in Primary Care Series supports primary care providers in the assessment and management of behavioral health concerns for their patients.

Learn About Project ECHO

Outcome

 

100%

of webinar participants reported improved patient care

Access

 

90%

of responding BHLL learners are likely to use course learnings

       

 

 

Flexibility

 

95%

reported ECHO improved patient care

       

 

Consultation for Ohio Primary Care Clinicians

We offer free consultation opportunities for Ohio primary care clinicians, ensuring timely access to our experts.

"I appreciate the opportunity to connect and I always learn valuable care management strategies.”

- Mark Winerman, MD, Nationwide Children’s

Behavioral Health Treatment Insights and Provider Support (BH-TIPS)

Ohio community-based primary care providers can receive provider-to-provider consultation with our psychiatrists through virtual appointments.

Learn About BH-TIPS

Physician Direct Connect

Physician Direct Connect is a 24-hour physician/provider consult-transfer center.

Contact Physician Direct Connect

Volume

 

1,000+

BH-TIPS consultations completed

Reach

 

295

unique TIPS users from 40+ counties

Access

 

52%

more confident after BH-TIPS consultation

Behavioral Health Integration

A growing body of evidence suggests embedding behavioral health specialists within primary care practices improves access to care, strengthens outcomes and enhances satisfaction for both families and primary care teams. At Nationwide Children’s, we’ve successfully integrated behavioral health services across our own primary care practices. We also partner with primary care practices nationwide to share tools and implementation support — helping teams integrate behavioral health in ways that work within real-world clinical workflows.

Behavioral Health Integration

Learn how Nationwide Children's supports pediatric primary care practices in integrating behavioral health services through practical tools and implementation support.

Learn About Integration

Practices

 

50+

integrated practices

Global Reach

 

20+

national & international consultations and site visits

Access

 

143%

increase in youth receiving BH care

"Parents that may be hesitant to obtain therapy are able to talk to a behavioral health clinician right during the pediatric visit and leave feeling more comfortable and confident.”

– Alex Bishara, Chief Operating Officer, Integrated Services for Behavioral Health