Addressing Workforce Challenges Across the Behavioral Health Continuum of Care

In July 2024, the National Academies Forum on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders hosted a public workshop to address the workforce needs and challenges across the behavioral health continuum. Experts shared insights on improving infrastructure to enhance access and quality of mental health services with a focus on advancing health equity. Discussions highlighted structural and policy challenges, care integration, and the potential role of technology and innovation to tackle workforce shortages. This proceedings highlights the presentations and discussions that occurred at the workshop.

Table of Contents

Front Matter Overview Keynote Panel: Perspectives on the Behavioral Health Workforce Session 1: Patient-Level Context Session 2: Health Care Professionals Session 3: Financing and Payment Challenges Session 4: Structural and Policy Challenges Session 5: Challenges Across Different Settings Session 6: Innovations, Technology, and Measurement Closing Remarks References Appendix A: Statement of Task Appendix B: Workshop Agenda Appendix C: Readings and Resources Shared by Workshop Speakers