Paid Sponsorship by Ohio AAP
- Where can I refer patients for counseling?
- Is this a behavioral health case I can manage in my practice?
- What should I do now that I have screening results?
- I have questions about managing behavioral health medications for anxiety and depression. Where can I get expert guidance?
In July the Ohio Pediatric Psychiatry Access Line (OPPAL) will launch, offering family physicians and other primary care professionals in Ohio access to a telephone helpline for same day, convenient peer-to-peer consultation with child psychiatrists. The OPPAL program will help support the essential behavioral health services primary care clinicians provide every day across Ohio.
OPPAL’s introduction complements other actions taken in Ohio to address rising mental health needs among youth as new data continues to shed light on areas of need. According to the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, Ohio children and youth are experiencing mental health challenges at rates higher than the United States overall, and many conditions are worsening over time.
- Introduction to the OPPAL website and connections to existing resources – such as Minds Matter and OhioRISE
- Demonstration of how to register to use the line
- Review criteria for OPPAL consultations, including what clinicians should know prior to calling the line.
Learn more, register for the webinars, and access OPPAL enrollment resources online now!
Please contact Hayley Southworth for more details.
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provided financial support for OPPAL. The award provided 51% of total costs and totaled $1,327,033. The contents are those of the author. They may not reflect the policies of HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.