Turning toward treating the seriously mentally ill in primary care.

Discusses the problem of people with serious mental illness not feeling welcome in primary care. The issue may be that health care providers are simply uncomfortable with the symptoms of serious mental illness, and this results in avoidance, both individually and as a system. This health disparity can only be addressed if the affected population is part of the conversation. Community-based primary care has a responsibility to address the physical health needs of the seriously mentally ill. To do this, we need to start by acknowledging our discomfort, listening deeply to the voices of people with severe mental illness, and learning how to intervene effectively to improve their health.