Recorded presentation

Ronald W Manderscheid, PhD, Chief, Survey and Analysis Branch, SAMHSA/Center for Mental Health Services, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, (301)443-3343, rmanders@samhsa.gov

This presentation will outline the current problems with the mental health system in the United States from the perspective of the President’s Commission on Mental Health and relate these problems to the solutions proposed by the Institute of Medicine in the landmark study, Crossing the Quality Chasm. The latter document incorporates four strategies that will be highlighted: financing reform; retraining of human resources; implementation of performance measures and information technology; and identification and implementation of evidence based practices. The transformation of mental health care will be contextualized with parallel transformations occurring in health care more generally. Action steps will be proposed, including implementation of Public Health Advocates groups in local communities across the US.

Learning Objectives: