Mental Health Statistics

About the Program

Collecting National Mental Health Data

CMHS collects, analyzes, and reports national statistical information on mental health services and the people served. CMHS data collection activities are carried out through the National Reporting Program for Mental Health Statistics. Dating back to 1840, the program represents one of the longest continuous data collections in American public health. Program activities include:

Biennial enumeration surveys of all specialty mental health organizations in the U.S.
Periodic targeted client sample surveys of persons served by specialty mental health organizations.
Special surveys of mental health services in nontraditional settings, such as prisons and jails, juvenile justice settings, and mental health self-help activities.
The National Conference on Mental Health Statistics, an annual event that provides a state-of-the-art examination of the technologies and methodologies of data collection for representatives of State, community, academic, consumer, and family groups.
An examination of indirect indicators of the risk of mental illness through a Health Demographic Profile System and the direct assessment of health status through collaborative studies.

The National Reporting Program, a joint effort of local and national mental health organizations, is recognized by the mental health field as the authoritative data source on mental health organizations and their staff, finances, and clients. Each year, program staff responds directly to more than 2,000 requests for information and disseminates approximately 100,000 publications to members of the mental health field, researchers, Federal agencies, media, and others.

The results of National Reporting Program activities are showcased in a widely disseminated biennial publication on major mental health policy and statistical issues, Mental Health, United States. In addition, a comprehensive reference listing of organized mental health services available in the U.S. - arranged by State, city, and type of service - is made available through the Mental Health Directory. The 800-page directory identifies more than 6,500 mental health organizations and 13,000 service sites. An electronic version can be found on SAMHSA's National Mental Health Information Center Web site at http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/.

CMHS also operates the only program in the Nation to develop standards that make national mental health data collection uniform and comparable. Through the Mental Health Statistics Improvement program, CMHS provides guidance and technical assistance to decision makers at all levels of government on the design, structure, content, and use of mental health information systems to improve the quality of mental health programs and service delivery. The program, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in May 2001, is a collaborative effort of State mental health agencies and other key groups, including private psychiatric hospitals and mental health service consumers. The philosophy and collaborative nature of the program make it a model in the health care statistics field.

Under the Mental Health Statistics Improvement Program, CMHS developed a consumer-focused mental health report card on managed care. The report card presented performance indicators recommended for assessing mental health services to adults in the areas of access, quality or appropriateness, outcomes, and prevention. The report card was field tested extensively in States receiving CMHS State Reform Grants and among various behavioral health care providers.

Over time, it has become increasingly important to develop a mechanism to ensure accountability in mental health service delivery at the State and community levels. States and others must be able to document that funds have been expended carefully and that desired effects have been achieved.

Toward this end, CMHS recently completed a State Performance Indicator Pilot Project to enhance the reporting capability of State mental health data systems and to establish a basis for comparing information about performance indicators across States. The project had three phases: feasibility assessment, pilot testing, and implementation.

Under the project, 16 State Mental Health Authority grantees tested 32 performance indicators and measures for State mental health programs, with a focus on outcomes. Examples of indicators included penetration/utilization rates for hospitalization, level of functioning and symptoms, use of assertive community treatment services, use of supported employment services, and use of atypical medications. Through the project, CMHS and the States tested and measured mental health services at the State and local levels, with an eye toward improving quality, accountability, and effectiveness of care. As such, the project has helped to build a bridge between the data and planning components of Federal and State mental health programs. The lessons learned from this project will be used to help with future State planning and decision-making.

Collecting, comparing, and analyzing data gives CMHS the necessary tools to accurately assess the performance of the mental health system's Federal-State partnership. Armed with this information, CMHS can improve planning, appropriately implement effective mental health services, and seek needed financial resources to shape a mental health system that effectively meets the needs of Americans now and in the future.