Stepped Care 2.0: A Paradigm Shift in Mental Health

This book is a primer on Stepped Care 2.0, which supports stakeholders to collaborate in enhancing care outcomes through work that is both more meaningful and sustainable. The current mental health system is organized to offer highly intensive psychiatric and psychological care, but demand far exceeds the supply. There are no lower intensity options for mental health and wellness due to fear and stigma, and a thorough assessment by a specialist is considered best practice. However, the risk of suicide or threat to others for those already seeking care is low, and our technical capacity to predict on these threats is virtually nil. Providers and policy makers need to understand the forces underlying the risk paradigm that dominates our society and restrict creative solutions for supporting those in need.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 137 pages
Publication date: 14 June 2021
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This comprehensive guide is a valuable resource for those seeking to understand and implement Stepped Care 2.0, the first book in a series of three. It addresses the growing demand for mental health care by empowering stakeholders, including help seekers, providers, and policy-makers, to collaborate in improving care outcomes through meaningful and sustainable work.

The current mental health system is primarily designed to offer highly intensive psychiatric and psychological care, which is undoubtedly effective but faces significant demand surpassing supply. Many individuals seeking mental health support do not require specialized medication or sophisticated psychotherapy. Instead, they require basic support to address their concerns. For example, someone experiencing knee pain would first receive guidance from a nurse or physician, such as resting the knee, maintaining a healthy weight, and incorporating low-impact exercises before considering specialist care. However, there is a glaring gap in the continuum of care for mental health and wellness. As a result, individuals seeking the most basic support must wait in line alongside those with severe and complex needs, leading to unnecessary delays and inefficiencies.

One reason for the lack of lower-intensity options in mental health care is the fear and stigma associated with seeking help. A thorough assessment by a specialist is considered best practice, to ensure the detection of any potential risks, such as suicide or harm to others. However, this premise is flawed. Firstly, the risk of suicide or harm to others is low among individuals already seeking care. Secondly, our technical capacity to predict these threats is virtually nonexistent. Thirdly, the assessment process in our culture of fear often focuses more on identifying deficits rather than functional capacities, leading to overprescription of expensive remedies and missed opportunities for holistic treatment.

To address these challenges, Stepped Care 2.0 offers a comprehensive framework for delivering mental health care. It emphasizes a phased approach, starting with the provision of basic support and gradually transitioning to more intensive interventions as needed. This approach recognizes that not all individuals require the same level of care and that different interventions can be effective for different people. By collaborating across sectors and using a person-centered approach, Stepped Care 2.0 aims to improve care outcomes, reduce stigma, and enhance the overall well-being of individuals seeking mental health support.

The book provides a detailed overview of Stepped Care 2.0, including its origins, principles, and practical applications. It discusses the importance of collaboration among stakeholders, the need for a holistic approach to mental health care, and the role of technology in supporting care delivery. It also provides case studies and examples of successful implementations of Stepped Care 2.0 in various settings, such as primary care, mental health clinics, and community-based organizations.

In conclusion, this book is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to understand and implement Stepped Care 2.0, the first book in a series of three. It offers a comprehensive framework for delivering mental health care that emphasizes collaboration, a holistic approach, and the use of technology to support care delivery. By empowering stakeholders to work together, Stepped Care 2.0 aims to improve care outcomes, reduce stigma, and enhance the overall well-being of individuals seeking mental health support.

Weight: 454g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030480578
Edition number: 1st ed. 2020