From silos to bridges: meeting the general health care needs of adults with severe mental illnesses

Abstract

Despite their higher burden of chronic general medical disorders, adults with severe mental illnesses have poorer access to and quality of general health care compared to people without mental illnesses. Because a key contributor to this situation is the separation between the mental health care sector (patients' health care home) and the general health care sector, bridges to connect these systems are needed. We discuss obstacles to clinical integration and propose strategies to address them.