Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration

CMHS Consumer Affairs E-News
April 28, 2005, Vol. 05-65

New Publication Available: Free to Choose---Transforming Behavioral Health Care to Self-Direction

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently released a publication that provides an overview of self-directed care and discusses its application to behavioral health services. This document provides useful information in support of Goal 2 of the President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health Final Report, "Achieving the Promise: Transforming Mental Health Care in America," that recommends that mental health care be consumer and family driven.

Self-directed care, an approach used for more than a decade with people with developmental and physical disabilities and older adults, offers opportunities to transform behavioral health services by fostering consumer- and family-driven services.

The publication summarizes the outcomes of the Consumer Direction Initiative Summit, a meeting of 80 recipients of mental health and addiction services and family members, policymakers, providers, and State and Federal representatives. Values and principles as well as critical operational elements central to self-directed care in behavioral health are discussed. Examples of several self-directed care programs are offered.

The publication discusses potential barriers to self-directed care within behavioral health care. Also, recommendations are offered for developing self-directed initiatives, and a listing of numerous resources is provided.

The publication is available from the SAMHSA National Mental Health Information Center at (800) 789-2647 or at web site www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/publications_browse.asp?ID=4&Sort=Format.

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The Center for Mental Health Services is a component of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, United States Department of Health and Human Services.