By: Julie Snyder

Approximately 100 years ago, the Bingham Child Guidance Clinic was built with the intentions of helping children with mental health. Through the obstacles and the changes, it is now time to celebrate 100 years passing and moving forward towards the future of the mental health of children.

How important is children’s behavioral health in relation to their general health? Is there a separation between the two? At the Bingham Clinic Centennial Celebration, there was a discussion of these two separated categories of “health” in children and adults.

In the past, behavioral health and general health were regarded in two completely different categories. In the future, they might be regarded as a part of one another.

“The future of behavioral health is about integrated health,” said Allen Brenzel, medical director of the Department for Behavioral Health and Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities.

The panel discussion also talked about the challenges and the potential future of helping children with mental health problems.

Some of the current challenges focused on the financial state of both the economy and resources for the clinic and similar organizations.

Another major challenge mentioned was the lack of access to those in need. Scott Tomchek, assistant director of the Weisskopf Child Evaluation Center, claimed that “access is one of our big difficulties.”

Many of the potential ideas for the future included integration between organizations and companies. Several of the prospective contributions to the future had to do with medical insurance, financial stability and Medicare.

“That’s why I’m excited about the future: integrated models, open access that really eliminates some of the payer issues that we’re currently struggling with,” said Tomchek.

Photo courtesy of Google Images