Psychiatric and Substance Use Services

We want to engage you and your team to shape behavioral health services* in America. Section membership is diverse and strong with executives from general hospitals, regional and national health systems, and freestanding psychiatric and addiction hospitals.

Get Involved. Through AHA’s Section for Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Services, you can shape the future of access, coverage and delivery of behavioral health.

Engagement Opportunities:

  • Learn With and From Your Peers & Leaders | Join in strategic dialogues anchored by experts sharing best practices.
  • Become a Thought Leader | Keep up with the latest resources, innovations, and movement in Washington, D.C., through Section and AHA Communications.
  • Shape National Health Policy | AHA looks to Section members for their expertise and guidance as we respond to proposed legislation and regulations. We welcome hearing your voice informally on an ad hoc basis, or formally through an advisory or affinity group, a council, committee, or board.
  • Offer Knowledge Exchange | Share the innovative work of your organization with the field, through podcasts, written interviews, Hill testimony, webinars, or strategic dialogues.

See below to read more on related topics.


* Behavioral health is used to include both psychiatric and substance use disorders. Persons with behavioral health needs may suffer from either or both.

Behavioral Health

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Integrating Physical and Behavioral Health

This is a list of resources that will help you to integrate physical and behavioral health care. It includes AHA publications, executive dialogue series, webinars, conference calls, members in action publications, and other resources. Executive Dialogue Series, Webinars and Calls ...

Behavioral Health Community Collaborations

This list of publications, educational recordings, and case studies has been compiled to help you in your efforts to understand and foster behavioral health community collaborations. Executive Dialogue Series, Webinars, and Conference Calls Project SHOUT (Support for Hospital Opioi...

Behavioral Health - Combating Stigma

Learn more about addressing and combating the stigma of behavioral health issues and substance use disorders with this list of educational resources. People Matter, Words Matter Words can transmit stigma. Studies have shown that people with psychiatric and/or substance use di...

Behavioral Health - Key Issues

Read about advocacy efforts and digital resources by the American Hospital Association on key behavioral health issues including quality measures, workforce training, integration of care and more. Disaster Responsiveness Integration of Physical & Behavioral Health Mental Health P...

Behavioral Health: State Issues and Activities

Learn more about state-level issues and efforts regarding access to behavioral health care with this list of articles and publications. Access to Behavioral Health Care in Massachusetts: The Basics, The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation (July 2017) Physical and Behavi...

Behavioral Health Updates

Read complete current and past issues of Behavioral Health Update, a monthly report from the AHA and National Association of Behavioral Healthcare. .rowEqual { display: -webkit-box; display: -webkit-flex; display: -ms-flexbox; display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; padding: 0; } .ro...