Community Mental Health and Primary Care Collaboration: Exploring Experiences of Communication from the Perspective of Community Mental Health Workers

Collaborative care models involving community mental health workers (CMHWs) improve the integration of mental health services in primary care, yet limited face-to-face contact, reliance on remote communication, and underutilization hinder collaboration. This exploratory qualitative study used semi-structured interviews with eight CMHWs to examine perceptions of optimal communication with primary care providers. Six key themes emerged, underscoring the importance of effective communication for enhancing patient experience. Findings emphasized the need for timely access to providers, the essential role of administrative staff as communication facilitators, supportive policies and leadership, and wide variation in communication practices shaped by organizational and contextual factors.