B.C. psychologists push to collaborate with family doctors

In an effort to make mental and physical health services more accessible, some B.C. psychologists are working to allow treatment out of family doctor offices.

Dr. Simon Elterman, a registered clinical psychologist says allowing patients a “one stop shop” for health care could be life saving.

“When we don’t treat mental health equal with physical health we are saying it’s not worth as much to us,” Elterman said.

What if you could walk into your doctor’s office needing mental health services and you could immediately see a psychologist without leaving the building? That’s what the British Columbia Psychological Association is proposing to the province, as they worry patients are falling through the cracks while waiting for help.

“The fact we aren’t treating this with any urgency like we would with other health issues is a mistake. The people who didn’t need mental health support in the past are now starting to, and they are realizing what many have known all along, how hard it is to get and how expensive is it,” Elterman urged.

The BCPA is proposing a Primary Care Psychologist program that would place psychologists in family doctors’ offices in British Columbia, giving patients access to mental healthcare on the spot.

Dr. Claire Sira, president of the British Columbia Psychological Association Board says the current system does not allow enough resources to adults who are not classified as severely ill.

“It’s really difficult to access psychological services for adults, there are services for children and those that are severely ill, but for the rest of us there are very few services. If you have a job with benefits, you may get $500 a year to talk to me but that doesn’t go very far, people are complicated,” said Sira.

Elterman adds the current system is not designed to prevent severe cases from occurring, and many people are afraid of asking for help due to the type of treatment they receive.

“When you don’t have primary care your problem gets worse and worse and then you have to go to urgent care, and the treatment you have in urgent care tends to be a bit more traumatic,” Elterman explained.

The program would see an estimated 50 psychologists paid a daily rate as independent contractors. The project would cost the province $27 million to run for three years, meaning patients wouldn’t need to pay out of pocket.

The proposal was submitted in November, but Sira says the province has yet to set a concrete action plan. Sira says she and other psychologists are renewing the push and asking the public to reach out to their MLAs to call for action.

“It’s disappointing but I’m still hopeful with all the attention on mental health during the pandemic, its on peoples’ minds and hopefully on the politician’s minds.”

Sira adds, “saying we have someone we can refer you to, that doesn’t work for most people, so treating someone right away has far better outcomes.”

CityNews has reached out to the ministry of health for a comment.