Executive Summary
Key Findings
Many states are valiantly trying to improve systems and promote recovery, despite a stranglehold of rising demand and inadequate resources. Many states are adopting better policies and plans, promoting evidence-based practices, and encouraging more peer-run and peer-delivered services. But state improvements are neither deep nor widespread across the nation. This report’s findings follow the four categories in which each state was graded:
Health Promotion and Management
- States are not focusing on wellness and survival for people with serious mental illnesses.
- States do not have adequate data on critical mental health services.
- Few states have public health insurance plans that adequately meet the needs of people with serious mental illnesses.
- Private insurance plans often lack sufficient coverage for mental health and substance use disorders.
- Most states have inadequate plans for developing and maintaining the mental health workforce.
Financing and Core Treatment/Recovery Services
- State mental health financing decisions are often penny-wise, pound-foolish.
- States are not adequately providing services that are the lynchpins of a comprehensive system of care, such as Assertive Community Treatment, integrated mental health and substance abuse treatment, and hospital based care when needed.
- States are not ensuring that their service delivery is culturally competent.
Consumer and Family Empowerment
- Information from state mental health agencies is not readily accessible.
- States are not creating a culture of respect.
- Consumers and family members do not have sufficient opportunities to help monitor the performance of mental health systems.
Community Integration and Social Inclusion
- Few states are developing plans or investing the resources to address long-term housing needs for people with serious mental illnesses.
- Effective diversion from the criminal justice system is more common, but remains scattershot without state-level leadership.
- Most states are beginning to provide public education on mental illness, but stigma remains a major concern.
Continue to Policy Recommendations >>
"Recovery is a unique process for each person. It means having a better quality of life, hope, and resiliency."
"Recovery is regaining or developing the abilities one needs to reclaim a constructive place in society in spite of being diagnosed with a severe and persistent mental illness."
"Any mental health patient is capable of recovery. That is they can achieve optimal functioning with the help of medications, social services, counseling, and assistance with other aspects of their life."
