AHRQ Releases New Tools to Advance Integrated Behavioral Health
In early December, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) released new and updated resources to support behavioral health integration in primary care settings. Through the AHRQ Academy for Integrating Behavioral Health and Primary Care, these tools are designed to help healthcare organizations strengthen whole-person care, improve sustainability, and reduce provider burden.
These updates reflect growing national momentum toward integrated care models—and offer practical, no-cost resources for organizations at any stage of integration.
New Resource 1: Behavioral Health Integration (BHI) Ecosystem Directory
The BHI Ecosystem Directory is an interactive, searchable directory that connects organizations with partners who support behavioral health integration efforts.
The directory includes:
Federal agencies
Academic and research centers
Nonprofit and technical assistance organizations
This tool is intended for providers, policymakers, funders, researchers, and system leaders looking to identify aligned partners, implementation support, or subject-matter expertise related to integrated care.
Explore the BHI Ecosystem Directory:
https://www.ahrq.gov/integrating-care/resources/ecosystem-directory.html
New Resource 2: Updated Integrating Behavioral Health and Primary Care Playbook
AHRQ has also released a redesigned and expanded version of its Integrating Behavioral Health and Primary Care Playbook. The updated Playbook offers clearer navigation and deeper guidance on the operational realities of integration.
New and expanded content includes:
Financing and payment strategies
Whole-person and population health approaches
Community engagement
Electronic health record (EHR) optimization
Workforce models and burnout prevention
Telehealth and hybrid care delivery
Quality improvement and measurement
The Playbook is particularly useful for organizations seeking practical implementation guidance—not just theory—across clinical, operational, and financial domains.
Access the updated Playbook:
https://integrationacademy.ahrq.gov/products/playbooks
New Resource 3: Emerging Best Practices for Addressing Suicidality in Primary Care
The Academy has also published a new topic brief, Emerging Best Practices for Addressing Suicidality in Primary Care, which focuses on scalable, evidence-informed strategies that can be embedded into routine care.
Highlighted practices include:
Suicide risk identification and response workflows
Safety planning and crisis response
Motivational interviewing techniques
Caring Contacts
Integrating the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline into primary care settings
This resource supports primary care teams in responding to suicide risk without requiring specialty-only solutions, reinforcing the role of integrated care in prevention and early intervention.
Read the suicidality topic brief:
https://integrationacademy.ahrq.gov/products/topic-briefs/suicidality
Why These Updates Matter
Together, these new tools reflect a continued shift toward practical, scalable integration strategies that account for workforce constraints, payment complexity, and the need for sustainable care models. For organizations building or strengthening integrated behavioral health programs, AHRQ’s updated resources offer credible guidance grounded in implementation experience.
How CultivateCare Supports Integrated Behavioral Health Implementation
At CultivateCare, we work with healthcare organizations to translate integrated behavioral health models into on-the-ground practice. In addition to sharing evidence-based resources, we offer:
Integrated behavioral health consulting, including implementation planning, workflow design, and payment strategy alignment
Behavioral health workforce placement and partnership support, helping primary care and specialty settings connect with clinicians experienced in integrated care
Operational guidance related to documentation, measurement-based care, and sustainability
Whether you are launching a new integrated program or strengthening an existing model, our work focuses on practical, real-world integration that supports both providers and patients.
Disclaimer
CultivateCare is not affiliated with AHRQ. We share these resources for informational and educational purposes to support the broader integrated behavioral health community.