State health officials are prioritizing access to quality behavioral health services and supports across the continuum of care, enhancing capacity for interventions where and when people need them. The increase in demand, morbidity and mortality sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic remains at crisis levels and is exacerbating existing challenges, such as diminished provider capacity and workforce issues. Policymakers are responding to calls for the rapid modernization of strained and under-resourced public behavioral health systems and are seeking transformational approaches.
In response, the National Academy of State Health Policy (NASHP), with support by The Commonwealth Fund, embarked on an 18-month project focused on identifying state strategies to modernize the behavioral health system — with a focus on non-elderly individuals at risk of or already experiencing identified needs. This resource synthesizes strategies for state policy makers gleaned from multiple engagements with state behavioral health leaders across the country and through intensive multi-state technical assistance. It presents state examples and key considerations for state officials via an organizing framework broken down by major components of the delivery system (from primary care to community-based and home-based services and supports) and reflecting essential principles for a modern system. While critical to a comprehensive approach, primary prevention and broad population health approaches are beyond the scope of this resource.
This resource provides state policymakers with:
- A conceptual framework for a modernized behavioral health system organized by key components of the behavioral health continuum and cross-cutting principles
- State-specific examples of comprehensive or cross-cutting approaches to modernization, including select tools that underpin cross-cutting reforms
- Detailed state examples offering lessons learned and additional resources for each of the key components of the modernized system continuum
- A set of additional practical resources
Acknowledgement
NASHP expresses its gratitude to the Commonwealth Fund for generously supporting this resource and to the Behavioral Health Modernization Learning Collaborative for their active involvement.
Special appreciation goes to state leaders and experts including Suzanne Fields and Rebecca Boss who contributed valuable input and feedback to this resource. The strategies and examples within were identified through rigorous research, informational interviews with leaders in state public health, mental health, substance use, Medicaid, and related agencies. This collaborative effort involved a state leader workgroup, expert-informed multi-state convenings, and focused technical assistance with five states. NASHP also thanks Josh Rohrer for his contribution to this resource while on staff at NASHP.
Funded by:
The Commonwealth Fund
