The purpose of the AIMS (Advancing Integrated Mental Health Solutions) Center is to inspire providers, researchers, and decision-makers to transform healthcare and improve patient outcomes. We accomplish this by translating and researching evidence-based approaches to behavioral health integration.

Leadership:

Diane Powers, MBA, MA

Anna Ratzliff, MD, PhD

AIMS Center Website

Main Challenge

Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Common behavioral health conditions like depression and anxiety are a barrier to a healthy, productive life. Treatment most often occurs in primary care but integrating mental health into primary care requires practice change for an entire treatment team to deliver evidence-based care.

Our Approach

  • We translate research into real world settings through training, implementation coaching, and materials that support primary care clinics and other medical settings integrating behavioral health services into their practice.
  • We develop and disseminate a variety of tools and resources designed to promote effective behavioral health integration in a wide range of settings.
  • We research approaches designed to improve the reach and effectiveness of behavioral health services integrated into primary care and other medical settings. 

Diane Powers, MA, MBA
Co-Director, AIMS Center
powersd@uw.edu
206-685-7095

Department Faculty

Amy Bauer, MD, MS

Ian Bennett, MD, PhD

Amritha Bhat, MBBS, MD, MPH

Brittany Blanchard, PhD

Joseph Cerimele, MD, MPH

Denise Chang, MD

Lydia Chwastiak, MD, MPH

Mark Duncan, MD

Charles C. Engel, MD, MPH

Jesse Fann, MD, MPH

John Fortney, PhD

Theresa Hoeft, PhD

Bill O’Connell, EdD

Anna Ratzliff, MD, PhD

Patrick Raue, PhD

Jürgen Unützer, MD, MPH, MA

Kimiko Urata, MD

Richard C. Veith, MD

Jessica Whitfield, MD, MPH

Sample Projects

Accountable Communities of Health

All Patients Safe

Innovative training for suicide prevention in addiction treatment settings

Lay-delivered behavioral activation in senior centers

New York State Collaborative Care Medicaid Program

Premera rural mental health initiative

Rural Mental Health Integration Initiative (RMHII)

SPARC suicide prevention

Using technology to optimize Collaborative Care management of depression in urban and rural cancer centers (SCOPE)

Volunteer-delivery of behavioral activation for senior center clients

WITH (Whole person Integrated Texting for Health)