Effectiveness of Integrating Mental Health Services into Primary Care Settings in Managing Anxiety and Depression: A Cross-Sectional Study in Family Medicine Clinics

Abstract

Background: The integration of mental health services into primary care settings has emerged as a global priority to address the growing burden of anxiety and depression, which are among the most common mental health disorders. Primary care clinics, often the first point of contact for patients, provide a unique opportunity for early identification and intervention. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of integrating mental health services into family medicine clinics in managing anxiety and depression, focusing on patient outcomes, satisfaction, and service utilization.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted across multiple family medicine clinics offering integrated mental health services. A total of 400 adult patients with diagnosed anxiety or depression were recruited using systematic random sampling. Data were collected via structured questionnaires, including the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scales to assess symptom severity, and a modified Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-8) to evaluate satisfaction. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data.

Results: The majority of participants were female (57%) and aged 30–44 years (37%). Symptom severity assessments revealed that 52% of patients experienced moderate to severe anxiety, while 52% reported moderate to severe depression. High satisfaction levels were reported, with 75% of participants either "satisfied" or "very satisfied" with the integrated services. Counseling/therapy sessions (55%) and follow-up visits (77%) were the most utilized services, with only 12% of patients requiring specialist referrals.

Conclusion: The integration of mental health services into primary care settings demonstrated significant benefits, including high patient satisfaction, effective symptom management, and reduced need for specialist referrals. These findings support the expansion of integrated care models, emphasizing the importance of workforce training, technological integration, and community engagement to enhance accessibility and sustainability. This model aligns with global efforts to improve mental health care delivery and achieve universal health coverage.