Many communities have a shortage of psychiatrists and mental health therapists.
Family doctors play an important role in supporting the mental health of their patients, especially those with less access to trained professionals, like patients with intellectual disability (ID).
They can help patients by talking about feelings, managing mental health medications, and making connections with mental health resources and supports.
For more, read “ID Psychiatry: A Primer for PCPs”: https://www.ohioafp.org/wfmu-article/intellectual-disability-psychiatry-a-primer-for-pcps/
