Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee (ISMICC)

The ISMICC reports to Congress and federal agencies on issues related to serious mental illness (SMI) and serious emotional disturbance (SED).

About ISMICC

In December 2016, the 21st Century Cures Act was signed into law. Through this Act (Public Law 114-255), the Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee (ISMICC) was established to make recommendations for actions that federal departments can take to better coordinate the administration of mental health services for adults with a serious mental illness or children with a serious emotional disturbance. ISMICC delivers the following to Congress and to other relevant federal departments and agencies:

  • A summary of advances in Serious Mental Illness (SMI) and Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED) research pertaining to prevention, diagnosis, intervention, treatment, and recovery. This includes advances in access to services and supports for adults with SMI and children with SED.
  •  An evaluation of the effect federal programs related to SMI have on public health, including public health outcomes such as:
    • Rates of suicide, suicide attempts, incidence and prevalence of SMIs, SEDs, and substance use disorders, overdose, overdose deaths, emergency hospitalizations, emergency room boarding, preventable emergency room visits, interaction with the criminal justice system, homelessness, and unemployment
    • Increased rates of employment and enrollment in educational and vocational programs
    • Quality of treatment services for mental and substance use disorders
    • Any other criteria as may be determined by the Secretary
  • Specific recommendations for actions that agencies can take to better coordinate the administration of mental health services for adults with SMI and children with SED

Meetings

Committee Biographies

Committee Charter

Committee Roster

Report to Congress

The Way Forward: Actions to Improve Access, Quality and Affordability of Care to Persons with SMI and SED

Members of the ISMICC discussed recommendations in their first Report to Congress during a press conference on Thursday, December 14, 2017. The findings and recommendations in the report have the potential to spur federal action to revolutionize behavioral health care by increasing access, quality, and affordability of care. Important topics in the report include: 

Access the Full Report and Executive Summary.

Federal Register

ISMICC Resources

Federal staff from 10 departments and agencies have collectively organized and coordinated activities to better address the needs of people with SMI and SED and their families. Read ISMICC related products and monthly newsletters and blogs on actions to address ISMICC recommendations.

Last Updated: 03/08/2023