Maine Health Access Foundation

When Catherine Ryder talks about Tri-County Mental Health Services' work to integrate behavioral health with primary care, her face lights up. Her excitement about the emerging work to treat "the whole patient" and Tri-County's accomplishments on this front is clear - and infectious.

Through contractual arrangements,Tri-County behavioral health professionals are now working in primary care offices. They're on-hand to assist immediately when a doctor realizes a patient might benefit from counseling about lifestyle changes. They can offer depression counseling or connect patients with other mental health services. People are
getting healthier as a result. 

"We are seeing people come forward to receive needed services earlier, allowing us to resolve mental health issues in far less time," observes Ryder. "This change in patterns and outcomes is nothing short of miraculous." In addition, clinicians are responding favorably and revenues have exceeded expectations, leading Ryder to believe they may have "cracked the nut" with this model of care integration. 

"The work we do and the models Tri-County has created have an impact beyond my community," Ryder notes. Her organization's partnership with MeHAF and other grantees working on the integration of care has expanded interest and advocacy for the many advantages achieved by this approach.

“One of the things I love about working with MeHAF is they’re so hands on and positive. They provide us with resources, they are available as needed and when needed and have a huge resource library for technical assistance.” She notes that MeHAF has helped her through some difficult times and puzzling problems by drawing on its vast and carefully-tended network.

"Inclusive" is the word Ryder uses to describe this partnership. "MeHAF leaves no stone unturned. In efforts to share what works or to seek expert input, the Foundation goes beyond an individual, beyond a community, beyond a state, to what can be done in a country. MeHAF is expansive in both their awareness and their goals."

She explains that removing the stigma of behavioral health care through an integrated approach is complex, demanding
strategic thinking and the ability to think analytically about policy and delivery systems. Ryder says that many foundations,
including MeHAF, do that part well. She adds that MeHAF also has something many foundations don't: roots in the ground.

"Grant funders often sit in an 'ivory tower' but they don't understand what happens at the service delivery level. MeHAF gets it," says Ryder. To successfully shift systems and infrastructure to a new model takes both a high-level analysis and a close connection to tactics. It's a challenging balance, but one that Ryder sees coming to life through the partnerships she's made. "My work with MeHAF showed me that 'impossible' change really is possible with the right players."

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