Issue 5

This issue of Behavioral Health Integration Resource Roundup brings you a curated selection of the latest research, upcoming events, and practical tools to support behavioral health integration.

Research Highlights

Collaborative Care Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder

July 2026

In a retrospective analysis of more than 30,000 closed CoCM treatment episodes at a single national provider, depression treatment response rates were similar across severity levels: 52% of patients with severe depression achieved a clinically meaningful response, compared to 57% of those with moderate depression at baseline. Anxiety, suicide risk, and Medicaid/Medicare coverage were all associated with lower odds of improvement, while more frequent clinical touchpoints improved outcomes across the board.

July 2026

This observational cohort study examined a virtual, telehealth-delivered adaptation of Collaborative Care for adults with major depressive disorder or generalized anxiety disorder in primary care. Researchers found reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms at 3 and 6 months, with symptom improvement and remission rates sustained over an 18-month implementation period.

June 2026

In this real-world pilot, older adults with cognitive impairment enrolled in CoCM showed reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms. Within the first year, half of enrolled patients had a 50% or greater reduction in their PHQ-9 or GAD-7 scores. Patients also showed improvements in neuropsychiatric symptoms such as agitation, anxiety, and apathy.

June 2026

Two recent trials, CHAMP and CLARO, found that CoCM can improve treatment engagement and retention for opioid and alcohol use disorder in primary care. This piece also describes one real-world implementation of the model: Era Supports’ peer-integrated adaptation of CoCM, which embeds peer support specialists alongside behavioral health care managers, primary care clinicians, and addiction-trained psychiatric consultants. According to program data, peer specialists have extended the care team’s reach by taking on outreach, relationship-building, and engagement work that is difficult for time-limited clinician roles to sustain. Although preliminary, early results show high rates of patient engagement along with improvements in depressive symptoms and substance-use-related outcomes.

March 2026

This narrative review of evidence from 2000 to late 2025 finds that Collaborative Care works, consistently, across a wide range of chronic conditions including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic pain, and chronic kidney disease. The effectiveness of integrating depression management into chronic illness care held up in real-world settings, including safety-net clinics, rural practices, and tech-enabled environments.

Resources & Tools

Free E-Learning for CoCM Teams - In partnership with West Health and Northwestern Medicine, the Meadows Institute launched a free, asynchronous, e-learning program for Collaborative Care. Courses are available for behavioral health care managers, primary care clinicians, psychiatric consultants, and billing staff.

Oklahoma Integrated Care Resource Center - The Oklahoma Integrated Care Resource Center, powered by Healthy Minds Policy Initiative, is a new training and technical assistance hub that equips primary care and specialty clinics across Oklahoma to screen for and treat mental health and substance use conditions. The Center is actively recruiting Oklahoma clinics who want integrated care support.

AHRQ's Redesigned IBH Playbook - The AHRQ Integration Academy has updated and redesigned its Integrating Behavioral Health and Primary Care Playbook, a practical, web-based resource for primary care teams and partners at any stage of integration. It offers tools and guidance to address readiness, workflows, technology, quality improvement, financing, and sustainability.

SAMHSA PIPBHC-States FY2026 Funding Opportunity - SAMHSA is now accepting applications for the FY 2026 Promoting the Integration of Primary and Behavioral Health Care: States (PIPBHC-States) program. The application deadline is July 27.

NatCon 2027 Call for Abstracts - The National Council for Mental Wellbeing is accepting proposals for their 2027 conference in New Orleans. The application deadline is August 19.

Events

Monthly | Virtual

Free AIMS Center Office Hours: Finance & Implementation

The AIMS Center hosts free monthly Office Hours via Zoom where coaches and experts answer your questions live. Finance Office Hours occur the first Wednesday of every month (11:00am - 12:00 pm CT) and Implementation Office Hours occur the third Thursday of every month (12:00 -1:00 pm CT). Drop in anytime during the hour. Join today.

July 29 | In-Person

ACU 2026 Behavioral Health Leadership Forum - Washington, D.C.

The Meadows Institute Health System Transformation team will present about Collaborative Care implementation and federal behavioral health priorities at the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved (ACU) Behavioral Health Leadership Forum. Learn More and Register today.

August 12 | Virtual

Free Panel on CoCM Training Modules for your Care Team

The Meadows Institute, in partnership with the Center of Excellence for Integrated Health Solutions, is hosting another installment of the 2026 online Collaborative Care Conversation Series that will explore new training offerings and discuss core competencies for CoCM team members. Register today.

August 13 | Virtual

Free Webinar on Integrated Crisis Care

August 26 | Virtual

Free Panel on Tailoring CoCM in Specialty Settings

The Meadows Institute, in partnership with the Center of Excellence for Integrated Health Solutions, is hosting another installment of the 2026 online Collaborative Care Conversation Series that will explore lessons learned and practical strategies for advancing integrated behavioral health in oncology. Register today.

Learn More

For information on Collaborative Care technical assistance and implementation, contact: CoCM Technical Assistance (TA) Team

Contact the CoCM TA Team