Whole Health and Health Care: Realizing the Promise of the Biopsychosocial Model for Mental Disorders and Diversity-View Presentation

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The session, moderated by Harold Cudler, focused on whole health and the biopsychosocial model for mental disorders, emphasizing integrated care that includes physical, behavioral, spiritual, and socioeconomic facets. Cudler discussed his extensive background in PTSD and the importance of looking beyond traditional diagnoses to address psychosocial elements in mental health care. Highlighting personal and community impacts, he advocates for approaches that prevent trauma-related disorders by addressing issues like family support and social determinants of health.<br /><br />Alex Krist reviewed findings from the National Academies' report on the VA's Whole Health program, suggesting it as a model for national health care transformation. The report emphasizes the U.S.'s poor health outcomes despite high spending and suggests a holistic approach integrating conventional, mental, public health, and social services to improve resilience, health, and life enjoyment. Key recommendations include scaling and spreading whole health initiatives, enhancing workforce training, rethinking financing away from fee-for-service, and fostering community engagement.<br /><br />Dilip Jeste discussed the necessity of incorporating positive psychiatric elements like resilience and social support into mental health care, linking wisdom to mental well-being. He emphasizes addressing loneliness and social connection in a technologically advanced yet socially isolated society.<br /><br />Audience participation highlighted challenges in implementing these ideas within existing systems. Questions addressed how to incorporate whole health care universally and deal with workforce burnout. Responses suggested using VA learnings in broader contexts and noted the successful integration of holistic care methods could help mitigate burnout and boost system efficiency. Local, bottom-up approaches are vital alongside large-scale policy changes to create comprehensive health networks that meet diverse needs.

Keywords

whole health

biopsychosocial model

integrated care

mental disorders

PTSD

trauma prevention

social determinants

VA Whole Health program

health care transformation

resilience

positive psychiatry

social connection

workforce burnout