Managing chronic health conditions such as mental illnesses and addiction disorders is a complex challenge for providers. They must work closely with patients and their families as well as with policy makers and community partners to ensure that ongoing treatment and support services are accessible to all in need for as long as they need them. The National Council offers supporting resources to ensure access to treatment and retention in treatment.

Access and Retention Improvement Initiative

The National Council's Access and Retention Improvement Initiative, is a year-long learning collaborative, launched in August 2007. Four community behavioral health organizations, chosen through a competitive application process, are participating in this initiative and will obtain tools to improve access to care, reduce the risks associated with non-adherence to treatment, address revenue losses due to no-show appointments, and learn performance improvement technology.

Continuity of Therapy Guidelines

One of the most critical periods in the recovery of the more than 2 million Americans with schizophrenia is the transition from intense inpatient care to community-based outpatient settings. When people fail to continue treatment and care after discharge from hospital, it results in increased emergency room use, repeated hospitalizations, family chaos, homelessness, incarceration, and even death. Hospitals and community-based organizations need uniform standards, education, and better coordination of treatment and services to ensure that patients with schizophrenia and other mental illness have access continued care after hospital discharge.

In December 2006, the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare assembled a panel of 24 experts from the mental health community to recommend new approaches to help ensure continuity of care. The panel was supported by Janssen, L.P. and included representatives from leading accrediting bodies and hospital and community treatment organizations, as well as patients, family members, researchers, state authorities, and psychiatric leaders. The panel's recommendations were released in March 2007.

Resources for continuity of therapy

Executive Summary: National Council's consensus statement on the continuity of medication therapy for the treatment of schizophrenia and other serious mental illnesses.
Backgrounder: Schizophrenia and continuity of therapy overview

Press release: People with mental illness slipping through fault lines along continuum of care: recommendations for bridging gaps