Mental Health Resources for Media
Interviews with AAFP leadership, research, resources and more to help journalists cover mental health care in family medicine.
AAFP Board Members and family physicians Jay W. Lee, MD, MPH, FAAFP, and Teresa Lovins, MD, FAAFP, talk about the important role family physicians play in providing mental health care to patients. Media outlets are free to use these interviews for broadcast or publication with credit to the AAFP.
If you would like to set up additional media interviews, please contact Emily Holwick at eholwick@aafp.org.
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Julie Hirschhorn
Public Relations Manager
jhirschhorn@aafp.org
Emily Holwick
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eholwick@aafp.org
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The State of Integrated Primary Care and Behavioral Health in the United States
A report from the Robert Graham Center explored how the integration of primary care and behavioral health services can provide opportunities to improve health outcomes.
Source: Robert Graham Center
Mental Health Care Services by Family Physicians
There are significant gaps in access to mental health care services in the U.S., especially related to vulnerable populations. Family physicians are well-equipped to provide mental health services and are one of the primary sources for mental health care in the U.S.
Mental Health, Parity in Coverage for Patients
The AAFP supports parity of health insurance coverage for patients, regardless of medical or mental health diagnosis.
Mental Health, Physician Responsibility
Promotion of mental health, diagnosis and treatment of mental illness in the individual and family context are integral components of family medicine.
Substance Use Disorders
The AAFP strongly urges its members to be involved in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of substance use disorders as well as the secondary diseases related to their use.
Substance Use Disorder Education for Students and Residents
To minimize the harmful effects of licit and illicit drug use on patients and communities, the AAFP believes all students and family medicine residents should receive comprehensive education on substance use disorders.
Q&A with AAFP Resident Well-being Champions
Family medicine residents participating in the AAFP’s Resident Well-being Champion Program discuss its impact.
More Free On-demand Courses Target Physician Well-being
The AAFP has added several free Physician Well-being CME programs to help family physicians prioritize their own mental health while caring for patients.
AAFP Debuts Mental and Behavioral Health Hub
The AAFP recently updated its mental and behavioral health resources to equip family physicians to effectively address patients’ mental health needs.
Family physicians play a crucial role in providing mental health care. See where we’ve been on the record:
Medscape Physicians and Suicide Report 2025: 'A Lot More Still Needs to Be Done'
Healio: ‘Something needs to change': Women physicians face sharply higher suicide risk than public
MedCentral: Suicide Must Be Discussed in Primary Care
Spectrum News: Screening for mental health during primary care visits
Healio: CDC data reveal three social drivers that influence suicide risk
U.S. News and World Report: How to Address America’s Mental Health Crisis? Talk to Your Doctor
KCTV: AAFP Mental Health Month
LNL: Mental Health Awareness Month
LinkedIn: Primary care is the front door for mental health concerns. These are the efforts to make integrated care more seamless
FPM Topic Collection: Behavioral Health
FPM editors have identified and compiled the journal's best content on the topic of behavioral health in primary care.
AFP: Integrated Behavioral Health Clinics Are Lacking in Areas With High Mental Health Distress
This study examined the need for integrating behavioral health care with primary care in areas of high need across the U.S.
AFP Topic Collection: Substance Use Disorders
This collection features the best content from AFP, as identified by the AFP editors, on substance use disorders and related issues, including addiction, drug dependence, and drug screening.
AAFP Advocacy Focus: Behavioral Health
The AAFP advocates for federal and state lawmakers and regulators to improve patient access to behavioral health services, including the diagnosis and treatment of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance use disorder, and other mental health concerns.
Q: What role do family physicians play in providing mental health care?
A: Primary care physicians, including family physicians, often serve as the first point of contact for patients navigating the health care system, and many people with mental health needs will be diagnosed and treated in the primary care setting.
Family physicians receive extensive training in caring for patients with depression and other mental illnesses, and patients benefit when they receive care from a physician who knows and understands their entire health history. Family physicians can screen for, diagnose and treat mental health concerns, as well as refer patients to behavioral health specialists and prescribe medication when appropriate.
Q: What does behavioral health integration mean?
A: The AAFP advocates for robust investment in an array of resources to better integrate behavioral health care into primary care practices. This integration exists along a spectrum ranging from consistent coordination of referrals and exchange of information to locating behavioral health services within the primary care office.
However, there are several barriers to integrating behavioral health into primary care practices. These include a limited workforce, payment and reporting requirements, and steep start-up costs.
Q: How does the AAFP advocate for mental health?
A: The AAFP believes mental health services must be accessible, affordable and equitable. The AAFP advocates for federal and state lawmakers and regulators to improve patient access to behavioral health services, including the diagnosis and treatment of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance use disorder, and other mental health concerns.
The AAFP also advocates for improved physician payments for services, investments in training and education for physicians to integrate behavioral health into their practices, and other measures to better facilitate and reimburse medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders, mental and behavioral health services for children and adolescents, maternal mental health care and care-coordination efforts with other behavioral health clinicians.
Q: How does the AAFP support physician mental health and well-being?
A: Research shows that physicians in the U.S. face nearly twice the rate of suicidal ideation compared to the general population, and the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated personal hardships as physicians continue caring for patients, themselves, and their families.
Physician Health First® offers online programming and resources, including selected readings, continuing medical education and leadership programming to help physicians have a positive impact on their work environment. The AAFP also offers the Leading Physician Well-Being certificate program, a 10-month program that includes three foundational areas; physician well-being, leadership development, and performance improvement.