AdvancedMD, a provider of cloud-based healthcare software for independent medical practices, today announced the addition of Mental Health Technologies (MHT) to its integration partner marketplace. The placement will enable AdvancedMD customers to integrate the MHT’s SmarTest® AI platform into the AdvancedMD practice management, EHR, and patient engagement solution, delivering technology that automates the behavioral health screening and referral process. 

Depression and anxiety are now commonplace in our society—and they affect more people each day. What do about the burgeoning mental health crisis? Get people suffering from mental illness the help they need. Mental Health Technologies has screened hundreds of thousands of Americans for behavioral health disorders. What we’ve found is that overwhelmingly, people want help.

Finals week draws up memories of long nights in the library, cramming for exams and cranking out term papers. But the stress, sleep deprivation and anxiety many students suffer while studying for finals can leave them burnt out and in a mental health rut.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder—more commonly known as ADHD—is one of the most pervasive mental health issues in our society. Given the pervasiveness of diagnoses by doctors and medications prescribed, many parents, and children, are confused with how to deal with ADHD or even start the conversation.

Gambling is everywhere. And for millions of people, it’s becoming not just a financial problem, but a mental health concern that’s impacting their emotional and personal lives.

It’s exceedingly common in our modern healthcare system to treat physical and mental health as two separate issues. Although we are steadily improving on accepting an all-encompassing agreement of treating them together, there is still a lot of work to be done.

Today’s approach does not allow for the proper tracking of a patient’s mental health among providers. Not only do mental health struggles increase the likelihood of suffering from physical health conditions, such as heart disease, but they also create a vicious cycle in emergency departments, hospital admissions, and out-of-network referrals.

A continuum of care for behavioral health is the next step in improving the outcome of patients as well as the overflow of individuals needing to be seen for preventable issues within our healthcare system.

As with any health condition, early detection of behavioral health issues contains a better prognosis if diagnosed and treated in its beginning stages.

Preventative care for mental health is vital for living a long and healthy life. If left untreated, some mental health conditions can increase the chances of:

-Respiratory disease
-Cancer
-Heart disease

Although the exact science behind this is still being researched, preliminary data indicates that one reason behind this staggering statistic is that those struggling with their mental health are much less likely to be seen by a physician for routine exams. This leads to problematic physical ailments—such as obesity, cholesterol, and blood pressure—remaining unchecked. Furthermore, unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as smoking or drinking, are often used to the detriment of the patient’s health.

Feeling down during the summer may bring a form of loneliness. After all, it’s common to see joyous social posts bragging about vacations, barbeques, and cherished memories being made during the summer.

So why does it seem like your mental health takes a nosedive mid-year?