The encounters between healthcare providers and patients are critically important in shaping health behaviors. Screening, education, and planning between healthcare staff and their patients can effectively prevent mental health and substance use problems. The ODMHSAS will support statewide efforts to disseminate best practices in primary care, specialty care, and emergency department settings. Key partnerships with providers, practices, associations/boards, and payors will help embed these approaches in Oklahoman’s routine experience at their doctors’ offices.

Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is an evidence-based, public health approach that aims to identify, reduce, and prevent problematic use, abuse, and dependence on alcohol and drugs and symptoms of depression and suicidality. This integrated approach focuses on identifying risk early and intervening in the healthcare setting to prevent the onset of more costly disease and addiction.

In collaboration with the ODMHSAS, the Oklahoma Primary Healthcare Improvement Cooperative (OPHIC) is enrolling primary care practices to participate in the SBIRT OK Initiative. Enrollment benefits include:

The ODMHSAS provides guidance in best practices, evidence-based guidelines and technical assistance for the safe and responsible treatment of chronic pain, including prescriptions for opioids when indicated, with the ultimate goals of patient safety and functional improvement. In collaboration with the ODMHSAS, the Oklahoma Primary Healthcare Improvement Cooperative (OPHIC) is enrolling primary care practices to participate in the Do No Harm Initiative.

Enrollment benefits include:

• Clinician peer-to-peer academic detailing of current guidelines
• In-practice coaching by trained Practice Facilitators
• Tailored training, ongoing technical assistance, resources and support

Zero Suicide is a quality improvement model that transforms system-wide suicide prevention and care to save lives. The primary goals of Zero Suicide are to promote suicide prevention as a core component of healthcare services and to promote and implement effective clinical and professional practices for assessing and treating those identified as being at risk for suicidal behaviors.

For more information, contact the ODMHSAS Healthcare-Based Prevention Services Team.