Peer support services in the behavioral healthcare workforce: State of the field.

Objective: This article examines how the history and philosophy of peer support services has shaped current mental health and substance use service delivery systems. The growth of peer-run and recovery community organizations in the changing health care environment are discussed, including issues related to workforce development, funding, relevant policies, and opportunities for expansion. These initiatives are designed to increase access to recovery-promoting services.

Bringing Recovery to Practice: Improving Provider Competencies and Promoting Positive Outcomes.

The concept of "recovery" in the context of treating mental illness-including serious mental illness-has been recognized as a central guiding principle for the orientation of behavioral health systems, including the delivery of effective treatment and services, and the development of practices, policies, and systems change. As the adoption of recovery-oriented care expands, there is a need to prepare the mental health and addictions workforce with recovery-based clinical skills and practice delivery approaches. In response, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) created an innovative workforce collaborative to increase clinician skills to deliver evidence-based, recovery-oriented treatment, services, and supports.

Pushing the envelope: shared decision making in mental health.

Topic: This article reviews the literature on shared decision making in health and mental health and discusses tools in general health that are proposed for adaptation and use in mental health.

Purpose: To offer findings from literature and a product development process to help inform/guide those who wish to create or implement materials for shared decision making in mental health.

Sources Used: Published literature and research on issues related to shared decision making in health and mental health, focus groups, and product testing.

Consumer-directed care for beneficiaries with mental illness: lessons from New Jersey's Cash and Counseling program.

Objective: Previous research from the Cash and Counseling Demonstration and Evaluation (CCDE) programs in New Jersey, Arkansas, and Florida suggests that consumers' control over personal care greatly improves their satisfaction with care arrangements and their outlook on life. Still, some argue that consumer-directed care may not be appropriate for consumers with a diagnosis of mental illness. This study examined the effectiveness of the CCDE program for those with a diagnosis of mental illness.

Promoting the value and practice of shared decision-making in mental health care.

Active consumer participation is critical in contemporary mental health care and treatment planning and has been a staple of the field of psychiatric rehabilitation for the last three decades. Providing the opportunity for consumers to chose interventions that fit personal preferences and recovery increase the likelihood that these interventions will enhance personal meaning, satisfaction and quality of life (Improving the Quality of Health Care for Mental and Substance Use Conditions, 2006). Similarly, self-determination and shared decision-making are critical components of recovery.