The NAM report, titled, "Psychosocial Interventions for Mental and Substance Use Disorders," points to a strong need to strengthen evidence on the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions, and to develop guidelines and quality measures for implementing these interventions in professional practice. Though medications undergo a systematic review of their efficacy, no similar process has existed for psychosocial treatments. The report sets forth a detailed program that identifies the steps needed to close this problematic quality gap.
Mental health and substance use disorders affect approximately 20% of the U.S. population, and frequently occur together. The rate of comorbidity of these disorders with physical disorders is also high. Psychosocial interventions for mental and substance use disorders include psychotherapies, community-based treatments, vocational rehabilitation, peer support services, and integrated care interventions. These are delivered in individual, group and even virtual settings, and may be administered as stand-alone treatments or combined with other interventions such as medications.
The NAM report proposes an iterative process that engages consumers at every step of a cyclical framework to 1) strengthen the evidence base for interventions; 2) identify elements of effective intervention; 3) conduct independent systematic reviews to inform clinical guidelines; 4) develop quality measures; 5) and implement interventions and improve outcomes.