THE COMPLEXITY OF AMERICAN MENTAL HEALTH POLICY: IMPLICATIONS FOR SYSTEMS IMPROVEMENT
THE COMPLEXITY OF AMERICAN MENTAL HEALTH POLICY: IMPLICATIONS FOR SYSTEMS IMPROVEMENT

Summary/Abstract: This article explores the complexity of American mental health policy, noting that it results in a wide range of challenging and contentious policy questions that go beyond health policy and involve social welfare policy, disability policy, criminal justice policy, and more. The complexity arises from the heterogeneity of populations with mental and/or substance use disorders; the range of potentially useful interventions (including but not limited to treatment services); the diverse mix of public and private providers and funding sources; shifting responsibilities among federal, state, county, and municipal governments; and vituperatively competitive ideologies. The author maintains that even though the complexity makes it unlikely that there can be extensive transformation of mental health policy at this time, there are many ways in which the mental health system can be made better incrementally. He urges mental health advocates to unite to pursue an agenda of achievable improvements that they are all willing to support.

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