Establishment of national datasets for mental health and substance abuse treatment services.

Abstract

Congress has recognized the importance of having complete and uniform data available from the states in order to determine the need for additional funding for services within the mental health and substance abuse service delivery system. Congress also needs data to determine the effectiveness of available services and to evaluate the typology of clients served. In order to ensure that the necessary data are available for Congress, grant funds have been allocated to many states in order to 1) implement a uniform dataset for substance abusers which will ultimately lead to a national database, and 2) promote the adoption of the Mental Health Statistics Improvement Program to allow the National Institute of Mental Health to receive uniform data upon request. Collection of the data needed by Congress will have to begin at the facility level. Therefore medical record professionals working or consulting in mental health and substance abuse facilities need to be aware of the national data sets and must be prepared for changes in data reporting requirements to their state mental health and substance abuse agencies.