Behavioral Health Clinic Medical Director presents at prestigious APA Annual Meeting

Smiling man in a suit stands beside a research poster on mental health providers’ attitudes toward metabolic syndrome management in severe mental illness patients. — *Dr. Tagbo Arene presented at the 2025 APA Annual Meeting.*

The Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) is proud to share that Clinic Medical Director Dr. Tagbo Arene recently presented at the prestigious American Psychiatric Association (APA) Annual Meeting, delivering a powerful and well-received presentation titled: “Understanding and Addressing Metabolic Syndrome in Severe Mental Illness: A Critical Initiative for All.”

The APA Annual Meeting is the leading international conference in psychiatry, known for showcasing cutting-edge research, policy updates and clinical best practices.

Dr. Arene’s presentation reflected the department’s deep commitment to whole-person care, especially for individuals living with severe mental illness (SMI), a population at significantly elevated risk for metabolic syndrome, a life-shortening cluster of conditions that includes obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension and dyslipidemia.

Many individuals with SMI face serious physical health challenges, often due to medication side effects, limited access to healthy food, and reduced opportunities for physical activity. These challenges are frequently compounded by economic and social inequities. DBH is increasingly focused on closing this gap. Dr. Arene’s presentation underscored how integrating mental and physical healthcare can lead to better outcomes and an improved quality of life for our clients.

The M-BACK Study: Assessing provider readiness

Dr. Arene presented findings from the M-BACK Study, which evaluated mental health providers’ readiness to address metabolic health in psychiatric settings. Key findings included:

Recognition among providers of the importance of metabolic screening
Gaps in knowledge, confidence and resources
Systemic challenges hindering the routine integration of metabolic care

This research represents a critical step toward integrating metabolic health into the standard of psychiatric care.

Our commitment to action

As a department, DBH remains committed to:

Enhancing training for providers to screen for and manage metabolic syndrome confidently.
Advocating for improved access to healthy food and lifestyle interventions for individuals with SMI.

Developing integrated care models that unite psychiatrists, primary care providers and nutritionists to deliver comprehensive, person-centered care.

The research provides actionable insights that will directly support our mission to equip providers with the tools and knowledge they need to improve physical and mental health outcomes in tandem.

Looking Ahead

The Department of Behavioral Health is honored to have Dr. Arene represent San Bernardino County at such a high-profile event. His work highlights our dedication to advancing community mental health through research, education and innovative care. We look forward to translating this important research into tangible improvements for the residents of San Bernardino County.

Additional County Update News – June 26, 2025