You probably know that modern mental health care doesn’t mean lying down on a couch and looking at ink blots. But you might not realize that for many folks, mental health care starts in primary care. Your primary care physician could be your first—and maybe only—stop on your way to mental wellness.

On this episode of Health Matters, we talk with Dr. Jen Brull, a family physician and the president of the American Academy of Family Physicians, about how to start that conversation with your primary care team, what they can and can’t treat, and even some things you might be too afraid to ask.

For more mental health resources from the AAFP, check out familydoctor.org. If you or a loved one is in crisis, you can also call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

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