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.

WATCH Nancy Agee, AHA Board Chair and President and CEO of Carilion Clinic, discuss combating stigma

GET INVOLVED in Mental Health Awareness Month activities

READ the HHS's 21^stC Cures Act: Action Plan and more resources on Mental Health Parity

Integrating Physical and Behavioral Health

Executive Dialogue Series, Webinars and Calls  Montefiore Health System, Bronx, NY: Enhancing Behavioral Health Care with Smartphone Technology (April 11, 2018) Sanford Health: Enhancing your Workforce’s Impact and Patient Access to Behavioral Health through integration and ...

Addressing the Opioid Epidemic - Resources

AHA Resources 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 opioid epidemic. Deve...

Behavioral Health Community Collaborations

AHA Publications New Mexico Psychiatrists, Police Collaborate on Behavioral Health H&HN (October 3, 2017) Why Hospitals Are Housing the Homeless H&HN (January 5, 2017) Military hospital’s wild garden puts nature’s healing effects to the test Health Facilities Management (Nove...

Behavioral Health - Combating Stigma

AHA Webinars and Conference Calls Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA: Reducing Substance Use Disorder Stigma (March 29, 2018) Deconstructing Stigma: A Change in Thought Can Change a Life (Dec. 2017) The Value of Patient/Peer Advisory Groups (Jan. 2017) Tools and Insights to Comb...

Behavioral Health - Advocacy, Access and Coverage Resources

Federal Legislative and Regulatory Activities The 21 Century Cures Act AHA Legislative Advisory: The 21 Century Cures Act 12/7/16 Comprehensive Behavioral Health Reform AHA to Sen. McConnell Re: Senate Vote on Meaningful Mental Health Reform Legislation (August 29, 2016) AHA to ...

Suicide Prevention Resources

Members in Action Using Technology to Reduce Suicides & Sitter Costs: Lessons from SSMs St. Anthony Hospital Blount Memorial Hospital: Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention Alliance Henry Ford Health System: How We Dramatically Reduced Patient Suicide, NEJM Catalyst...

Behavioral Health: State Issues and Activities

State Resources 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 ...

Behavioral Health - Key Issues

Access and Coverage Disaster Responsiveness Evidence Based Practices Health Reform & Behavioral Health Integration of Physical & Behavioral Health Medicaid Reimbursement Medicare Reimbursement Mental Health Parity Opioid Epidemic Quality Measures Prevention, Early Det...