Peer-to-Peer: Supporting Patients’ Mental Health
Published October 2026
Peer-to-Peer: Supporting Patients’ Mental Health
Published October 2026
We asked Dr. Giovannie Jean-Baptiste, MD, MBA, FAQAURP, CHCQM, Vice President, Medical Affairs at MVP, to share practical ways Providers can recognize changes in a patient’s mental health, connect them to support, and follow up to help close the loop on care.
Q: How can Providers address mental health during a routine visit?
A: Mental health does not need to feel like a separate conversation. Changes in sleep, energy, social activity, chronic condition management, or a patient’s overall presentation may be signs to check in. A simple question such as, “How have you been doing emotionally?” can open the door to an important discussion.
Q: What should happen when a patient may need behavioral health support?
A: The most important step is making sure there is a clear path forward. Depending on the patient’s needs, that may include support within the practice, a behavioral health referral, or care management assistance. Whenever possible, make the connection easier for the patient rather than simply providing a phone number.
Q: Why is follow-up after a behavioral health referral important?
A: A referral does not always mean the patient connects to care. Patients may face barriers such as appointment availability, transportation, uncertainty about whom to contact, or readiness to engage. Following up helps identify whether the patient received care and whether additional support is needed.
Q: What does “closing the loop” mean in practice?
A: Closing the loop means confirming whether the patient connected to the recommended care and, if not, understanding what got in the way. This may happen through a staff follow-up call, discussion at the next appointment, or additional help navigating access barriers.
The key is to treat the referral as one step in the care process and not the end of it.
Q: What if a patient is not ready to accept behavioral health support?
A: Readiness can change. Normalize the conversation, explain available options, and keep the door open. Continuing to ask about mental health at future visits can help patients feel more comfortable seeking support when they are ready.
Q: What is one takeaway for Providers?
A: Do not stop identifying a need. Ask the question, help make the connection, and find a way to check back. That follow-through can be just as important as recognizing the concern.
Resources for Providers
MVP supports patients’ mental health and recognizes the importance of timely access to behavioral health care. The following resources can help Providers connect patients to appropriate support and strengthen coordination between primary care and behavioral health.
OnTrackNY: Offers treatment for adolescents and young adults experiencing early psychosis symptoms, including hallucinations, unusual thoughts, or disorganized thinking, for more than one week and less than two years.
Project TEACH: Supports New York primary care Providers in treating mild-to-moderate mental health concerns, such as anxiety, depression, and ADHD, in patients up to age 22. The program is funded by the New York State Office of Mental Health.