Behavioral Health and Substance Use Fall 2017 Final Report 

Mental illness and substance use disorders are leading causes of disability and premature mortality in the United States. Access to quality behavioral healthcare is essential to leading a healthy, productive life. Given that one in five American adults experience a mental illness in a given year, performance measurement in this area needs to remain operational and current. This report is the fifth in a series of reports describing the National Quality Forum’s (NQF) measure evaluation projects for behavioral health measures. The multiphase project aims to endorse measures of accountability for improving the delivery of behavioral health services and achieving better behavioral health outcomes for the U.S. population. In this phase, the Behavioral Health and Substance Use Standing Committee evaluated five measures related to continuity of care, follow-up care, antipsychotic use, medication reconciliation, and psychosocial screening in children. The Committee recommended four measures for endorsement, one measure was not recommended.