Experience of implementing a Mental Health First Response Polyclinic in a Primary Health Center

Abstract

We have implemented a “Mental Health First Response Clinic” in one of the Primary Health Care Centers of the Municipality of Lo Espejo in Santiago. Its objective is to provide a complete assessment of patients in need of an immediate intervention due to the complexity of their mental health status or related risk factors. These cases are referred by health professionals of the same or other centers of the Municipality. We describe the main features of the Clinic and the requisites for referral, as well as the experience gathered from the first four months of functioning, during which fifty patients were derived to it. Results: The attendance of cases referred was 82%, much higher than the usual rate of attendance of psychiatric patients in primary care centers. The waiting time was short: an average of 2,1 days, much lower than the usual delay. The main cause for derivation was suicidal risk assessment (36%). Only three patients (7%) were finally sent to the Psychiatric Emergency Unit at the area main hospital. At the end of the observation period, four patients had already been discharged from the Mental Health Program of the PHC Centre.