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Behavioral Health

Behavioral health problems, which include mental health and substance use disorders, are among the most common conditions seen in primary care settings. AHRQ provides data to quantify these challenges, tools and resources for screening and treatment, and funding for behavioral health research.

Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Provider and Systems (CAHPS) Surveys on Mental Health

Many organizations are interested in assessing and improving patient experience with behavioral health, mental health, and/or substance abuse services.

The Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Provider and Systems (CAHPS) Mental Healthcare Surveys include a survey of patients' access to mental healthcare and survey of patients' experience of behavioral healthcare and health outcomes. These surveys can be used for all patients receiving care for mental, emotional, or behavioral health issues, regardless of setting.

Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP)

The Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) is the Nation's most comprehensive source of hospital care data, including information on in-patient stays, ambulatory surgery and services visits, and emergency department encounters. HCUP enables researchers, insurers, policymakers and others to study healthcare delivery and patient outcomes over time, and at the national, regional, State, and community levels. HCUP data sets include data on mental health and substance use disorders, such as those below.

HCUP Interactive Data Tools

HCUP Statistical Briefs

Additional HCUP Reports

Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS)

The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) is a set of large-scale surveys of families and individuals, their medical providers (doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, etc.), and employers across the United States. MEPS collects data on the specific health services that Americans use, how frequently they use them, the cost of these services, and how they are paid for, as well as data on the cost, scope, and breadth of health insurance held by and available to U.S. workers. MEPS publishes its data as statistical briefs. Below are MEPS statistical briefs on national behavioral healthcare use and costs.

MEPS Statistical Briefs

 

AHRQ's research on behavioral health can be found on AHRQ's Academy for Integrating Behavioral Health into Primary Care and as part of its Evidence-based Practice Center Program.

AHRQ-authored and AHRQ-funded studies on behavioral health can be found by searching the AHRQ Research Studies database.

AHRQ also fosters innovation in research on behavioral health through its Challenge Competitions. One challenge recently focused on Postpartum Mental Health Care for Rural Families.

Published Research (2020 to present)

Opioids and Other Substances

Mental Health

Burnout

AHRQ Views Blogs:

AHRQ Research Studies Database is searchable and includes AHRQ-authored and AHRQ-funded research studies on burnout.

AHRQ's Patient Safety Network is another rich source of studies on burnout.