Behavioral Health

One in four Americans experiences a mental illness or substance use disorder each year, and the majority also has a comorbid physical health condition.

Hospitals and health systems provide essential behavioral health care services to millions of Americans every day. The American Hospital Association has a long-standing commitment to support member efforts to deliver high-quality, accessible behavioral health services. Consistent with that commitment, this web page is designed to provide easy access to information and tools that will assist them in navigating the changing behavioral health care system and understanding national, state and local activities affecting behavioral health.*

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

ARTICLE "Quartz: The opioid epidemic is tearing communities apart. Here’s how one city came together to fight it" By Annabelle Timsit in Winchester October 21, 2018

ADVISORY on the FY 2019 IPF PPS Final Rule

LEARN more about the 21^st C Cures Act and Mental Health Parity

Integrating Physical and Behavioral Health

Executive Dialogue Series, Webinars and Calls Innovations in Integrating Physical and Behavioral Health Services - Intermountain Healthcare Inc. (May 22, 2018) Montefiore Health System, Bronx, NY: Enhancing Behavioral Health Care with Smartphone Technology (April 11, 2018) Sanfo...

Addressing the Opioid Epidemic - Resources

*/ AHA Resources Download the PDF Stem the Tide: Addressing the Opioid Epidemic (October 2017) This toolkit, released by the AHA, provides guidance and information to hospitals and health systems on how they can partner with patients, clinicians and communities to address the opi...

Behavioral Health Community Collaborations

Executive Dialogue Series, Webinars, and Conference Calls Project SHOUT (Support for Hospital Opioid Use Treatment): Zuckerberg San Francisco General, San Francisco, CA (November 13, 2018) Jefferson Health - New Jersey: South Jersey Behavioral Health Innovation Collaborative - CEOs Im...

Behavioral Health - Combating Stigma

AHA Webinars and Conference Calls St. Vincent’s, Jacksonville, the ROI of Mental Health First Aid: How a local Collaborative improves timely access to care and reduces stigma (Aug. 29, 2018) Be the Change: Allina Health’s Effort to Eliminate Stigma around Mental Health and Addicti...

Suicide Prevention Resources

Members in Action Blount Memorial Hospital: Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention Alliance Henry Ford Health System: How We Dramatically Reduced Patient Suicide, NEJM Catalyst Ivinson Memorial Hospital: Suicide Prevention Task Force Exeter Hospital - Zero Suicide Progr...

Behavioral Health: State Issues and Activities

Access to Behavioral Health Care in Massachusetts: The Basics, The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation (July 2017) Physical and Behavioral Health Integration: State Policy Approaches to Support Key Infrastructure, National Academy for State Health Policy (May 2017) Le...

Behavioral Health - Key Issues

Disaster Responsiveness Integration of Physical & Behavioral Health Mental Health Parity Quality Measures Prevention, Early Detection, and Intervention Reducing Readmissions Suicide Prevention Resources Tele-Psych Workforce Shortage, Training and Education For more resourc...