The Integrative Behavioral Health Clinic (IBHC) is a student facilitated clinic at the Family Impact Center (FIC) whose mission is to address disparities in the availability of comprehensive mental health care for people who are uninsured or unable to afford healthcare in order to improve quality of life, reduce distressing symptoms, and increase access. In response to the documented need for affordable mental health care in Missouri, MU School of Social Work faculty launched the IBHC in 2014. Since, over 80 SSW graduate students and counseling psychology students have gained valuable real-world experience working with clients while under the direct supervision of licensed clinical social workers. These students have, in turn, provided direct care to thousands of clients who otherwise would not have received care.
The IBHC collaborates with MedZou, a student-operated medical clinic that provides free primary health care for uninsured residents of Central Missouri, which is also located at the FIC. IBHC’s current services include comprehensive needs assessment, suicide and neglect screenings, brief and long-term therapy (e.g., motivational interviewing; cognitive behavioral therapy), support groups, and case management. An evaluation of services documents a reduction in anxiety and depression and improvements in quality of life for people completing services. The IBHC is funded through various grants as well as individual donors. While we are fortunate for the funding received, often it is difficult to support new programs, increase student involvement, and to maintain basic operation costs every year. Please consider supporting the IBHC through a monetary gift to the Integrative Behavioral Health Gift Fund that supports the clinic.
Learn more about the School of Social Work outreach efforts, including IBHC, here.
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