Behavioural health solutions Peregrine Health has expanded its partnership with Arcare, a federally qualified health centre (FQHC) network, to offer behavioural health services across more than 70 Arcare clinics in Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Mississippi, US.

The collaboration aims to address the shortages in behavioural health providers and improve access for underserved rural patients.

Peregrine Health’s technology platform and clinical support services will be leveraged to deliver care, with focus on centres previously lacking these resources.

Peregrine Health CEO Adam Peebles said: “Together with Arcare, we are bringing vital behavioural health services to tens of thousands of people who likely would go untreated otherwise.

"Our expanded partnership creates access where it has not existed before, and that directly aligns with our mission to empower communities by improving the access, coordination, and continuity of behavioural health care.”

Peregrine Health’s solutions are customised to meet the specific needs of FQHC networks such as Arcare. This collaboration will allow Arcare to offer a broader range of mental health and substance abuse treatment options at its health centres throughout the four-state region.

Arcare CEO Dr Steven Collier said: “Health for all has always been our guiding principle at Arcare, and this collaboration brings that vision to life for behavioural health. By expanding our partnership with Peregrine Health, we can rapidly scale mental health services across the communities we serve.

“Thousands of patients, many in very rural areas, will now be able to see a counsellor or psychiatric provider in their own community. This is a transformative step toward closing the access gap.

“Peregrine Health's expert clinical team and technology platform are helping us ensure that every patient receives the care and treatment they need, regardless of where they live or their ability to pay.”

The initial partnership began last year with a single site in Kentucky. Following a successful pilot, Peregrine Health will deliver more than 50,000 patient visits at Arcare centres next year.

The services will be offered via Peregrine Health's technology platform and telehealth approach.