Integrated Health Care for People with Psychiatric Disabilities

Abstract

A growing body of literature on the physical health problems of people with psychiatric disabilities has emerged in the past decade. Study after study shows that people who suffer from severe mental illness have high rates of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, lung disease, and cancer. Although many of these chronic health conditions are preventable, few people with psychiatric disabilities receive needed medical treatment. There is little surprise, therefore, that this population dies, on average, 25 years earlier than its nondisabled peers. It is perhaps also no surprise to those of us in the field of psychiatric rehabilitation that disparate mental health and medical systems contribute to the poor health and well-being of people with psychiatric disabilities. Coordination of care across the two systems is minimal at best. People with psychiatric disabilities often report difficulty accessing medical care: They do not know where or how to find services, have problems scheduling and getting to