Adult Psychiatric Access Line (APAL)
APAL, a program of HealthHaven: Recovery is a statewide consult and care navigation program designed for providers treating adults struggling with substance use disorders. APAL supports providers with access to specialized mental health services and prepares primary care and emergency clinicians with the behavioral health needs of their patients through trainings and education.
The Problem: Too Few Providers
Despite sizable investments at the state and federal level, Virginia’s capacity is constrained across the Commonwealth’s continuum of behavioral health care. All 133 Virginia localities are federally-designated Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas.1 There are not enough specialized health care providers to meet patient demand for behavioral and mental health services. Virginia faces significant challenges in developing specialized solutions to reduce adverse health outcomes related to substance use disorders.
The Solution: APAL
With the support and resources provided by APAL, a program of HealthHaven, health care providers, particularly those in primary care and emergency settings, will have the tools and knowledge to help effectively diagnose, prescribe, and assist patients in navigating substance use recovery care. APAL’s care model is based on three components: Provider education program on screening, diagnosis, management, and treatment of SUDs; access to telephonic consultations via regional hubs comprised of addiction medicine specialists and psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and/or prescribing providers; and care navigation assistance to help identify additional regional mental health services and resources.
1Virginia Health Care Foundation, 2024
