Health

• Home

Mental Health/ Substance Abuse Topics

• Impact of Health Care Reform
• Financing, Regulation, and Quality
• Prevention and Intervention Strategies
• Surveys and Data Systems
• Selected Publications

•  

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Research

Mental health and substance abuse problems are among the leading causes of disability. Mathematica is committed to conducting research, evaluations, and surveys that contribute to the development of policies and intervention strategies to prevent and treat mental health and substance abuse problems. Our work has answered some of the major questions that challenge policymakers, administrators, providers, and consumers.

• How might reforms impact delivery of mental health and substance abuse services?
• How are mental health and substance abuse service systems responding to changes in financing, regulation, and quality standards?
• What are promising prevention and intervention strategies?
• What surveys and data systems provide mental health and substance abuse information?

How might reforms impact delivery of mental health and substance abuse services?

Health care reforms have the potential to improve the delivery of mental health and substance abuse services. Mathematica has helped policymakers understand how changes in health care coverage may shape the public and private mental health service sectors and has examined the effects of mental health parity laws on the use and costs of services.

Projects related to this topic include:

• Identifying Mental Health Policy Issues in the Context of Healthcare Reform
  
• Evaluation of Mental Health Parity in California and Vermont
  
• National Estimates of Mental Health Insurance Coverage
  
• Issues in Medicaid Financing of State and County Psychiatric Hospitals

How are mental health and substance abuse service systems responding to changes in financing, regulation, and quality standards?

Mental health and substance abuse services are provided within an increasingly complex framework of regulatory practices, reimbursement policies, and quality standards. Mathematica has evaluated the quality of mental health and substance abuse services and has identified strategies that states and communities use to administer and finance a broad array of services for children and adults.

Projects related to this topic include:  

• Evaluation of the Department of Veterans Affairs Residential Rehabilitation Programs
  
• Residential Treatment in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service System 
  
• Children with Special Health Care Needs in Managed Care Plans
  

Back to top

What are promising prevention and intervention strategies?

Despite advances in the prevention and treatment of mental health and substance abuse problems, there remains a considerable need for services and limited resources to implement evidence-based interventions in community settings. We have developed and evaluated prevention and intervention programs that target a range of populations, including those who are homeless, living in medically underserved communities, and racial and ethnic minorities.

Projects related to this topic include:

• Evaluation of the SOAR Initiative to Help Homeless Individuals Access SSI/SSDI Benefits
• Mental Health Training for Latino Paraprofessionals in Primary Care
  
• Evaluation of Project Access for Children and Youth with Epilepsy
  
• Implementation Evaluation of Bright Beginnings and Personal Best
  
• Community Alternatives to Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities for Children and Youth

Back to top

What surveys and data systems provide mental health and substance abuse information?

High-quality data is critical for tracking trends and informing policy decisions. Mathematica has developed sophisticated data systems that are used to estimate the prevalence of mental health and substance abuse problems and examine the costs, quality, and outcomes of services.

Projects related to this topic include:

• National Mental Health Services Survey  
  
• National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services
  

Back to top