Family Physicians Are on the Front Lines of Mental Health Care in America
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, January 10, 2020
Statement attributable to:
Gary LeRoy, MD
President
American Academy of Family Physicians
“With recent media discussions about depression and other mental health issues, I’d like to ensure that people understand the critical role and expertise that family physicians bring to comprehensive patient care.
“Family medicine is a medical specialty, and family physicians are more than general health care providers. We receive extensive training in caring for patients with depression and mental illness. And because of the trusted relationships we already have with our patients and the comprehensive scope of family medicine, we are in a critically unique position to identify brain health disorders early and provide appropriate interventions, which could include consultation with a psychologist or a psychiatrist.
“As a result of the stigma of mental illness and the many roadblocks that exist in our health care system—including geographic maldistribution and an overall shortage of psychiatric professionals—family physicians are the primary source of mental health care in the U.S., especially for vulnerable populations and those who need care the most.
“As with all serious illnesses, family physicians ensure the best care for their patients and coordinate care with psychiatric subspecialists when their patients require intensive, focused treatment. But without family physicians, the nearly one in five U.S. adults who will experience some form of mental illness in a given year may go untreated.
“We are already on the front lines of mental health care in America, and we are well-trained for this important work.”
Editor's Note: To arrange an interview with Dr. LeRoy, contact Megan Moriarty, 800-274-2237, Ext. 6052, or mmoriarty@aafp.org.
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About the American Academy of Family Physicians
The AAFP is the largest national association of family physicians, representing 124,500 physicians and medical students. Family medicine’s cornerstone is an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship focused on impactful care for people of all ages, races and genders across all medical conditions. The AAFP supports every stage of a family physician's career and provides evidence-based resources, advocacy and community to empower family medicine. To learn more, visit aafp.org. For information about health care, medical conditions and wellness, please visit the AAFP’s patient education website, familydoctor.org.