Behavioral Health 2016-2017 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 fourth 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 Standing Committee evaluated 13 measures related to tobacco use, alcohol and substance use, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression, medication continuation and reconciliation, and follow-up after hospitalization for mental illness. The Committee recommended nine measures for endorsement, three measures were not recommended, and one measure recommendation was deferred.