September marks National Suicide Prevention Month, a powerful reminder of the critical importance of behavioral health care.
Behavioral health care focuses on the connection between behaviors and the health and well-being of the mind and body. It encompasses a wide range of services aimed at diagnosing, managing, and treating mental health conditions, substance use disorders, and other behavioral issues that affect a person’s physical and emotional well-being.
For too long, however, society has treated behavioral health as less important than physical health. This stems from deep-rooted stigma, propagated by fear and misunderstanding. Yet, amidst these challenges lies a powerful opportunity for change.
Historically, the health care industry has distanced itself from behavioral health, treating it as an outlier rather than an integral component of overall well-being. This mindset needs to shift. Behavioral health is health care, and our community must rally to ensure that it receives the attention, respect and funding it deserves.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a turning point in the recognition of the importance of behavioral health care. With widespread trauma and an increase in mental health struggles, there has never been a more critical time to acknowledge and integrate behavioral health into mainstream healthcare. Frontline healthcare professionals, in particular, have faced immense pressures, leading many to seek treatment or even depart from their professions due to burnout. The industry is finally recognizing the necessity of incorporating behavioral health into comprehensive care.
Integrated care models and value-based contracting are paving the way for this transformation. The days of sidelining behavioral health are numbered. Lenape Valley Foundation has been a pioneer in this field for decades, fostering collaborative relationships with hospitals to ensure that behavioral health services are incorporated as a core component of patient care.
Research consistently shows that addressing a patient’s behavioral health needs can lead to improved physical health outcomes. Throughout my career, which has included roles in both physical and behavioral healthcare organizations, I witnessed firsthand the impact of integrating psychiatry into hospital treatment plans. Patients experienced shorter hospital stays and reduced readmissions. Those who engaged in ongoing outpatient therapy saw significant improvements in their overall health, such as reduced risk factors for type 2 diabetes.
With these principles in mind, Lenape Valley is joining with providers across Bucks County to launch Bright Path Center, a bold initiative to establish an integrated approach to behavioral health care. The first of its kind in Pennsylvania, Bright Path Center will unite an array of behavioral health crisis services under one roof. Located on the grounds of Doylestown Hospital, Bright Path Center will deliver acute, trauma-informed, person-centered behavioral health assessment and stabilization in a calming environment.
Expected to open its doors in late 2025, Bright Path Center is the result of a deep, collaborative partnership between local government, Doylestown Health, Bucks County government and human services, and the state — all committed stakeholders in enhancing the well-being of everyone in Bucks County.
But our efforts won’t stop there. Lenape Valley Foundation will continue to advocate for solutions that integrate physical and behavioral health, and we welcome all Bucks County residents to join us in demanding better funding for behavioral healthcare. We are determined to improve access and ensure that every individual in Bucks County has the support they need to thrive.
The need is great, but together, with strong partnerships and community support, we can rise to meet these challenges. Behavioral health is health care, and it’s time our systems and communities reflect that truth.
A Bucks County native, Dave Herold has dedicated more than 30 years to the health care profession, particularly behavioral health. He is CEO of Lenape Valley Foundation, Bucks County’s leading provider of community-based behavioral health care that equips clients to live their best lives.