The AHA developed Behavioral Health Challenges in the General Hospital: Practical Help for Hospital Leaders to assist community hospitals improve their behavioral health services. Building on the work of the AHA Behavioral Health Task Force, this resource contains three components: Recommendations, Case Examples and a TrendWatch issue brief.

The task force encourages hospital leaders – executives, board members, and medical staff leaders – to study the recommendations and examples and implement them whenever possible.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The task force’s recommendations are presented around six themes that address strategies hospitals can undertake within their own organization, within their community, and in advocacy.

• Community Needs Assessment
• Hospital Behavioral Health Plan
• Community Collaboration
• Adequate Financing
• Advocacy
• Performance Improvement
• Workforce

CASE EXAMPLES

The case examples in this booklet were developed to accompany the AHA Behavioral Health Task Force's recommendations.

Case Examples Written since 2007

TRENDWATCH ISSUE BRIEF

Community Hospitals: Addressing Behavioral Health Care Needs (February 2007)

Visitors to this site may also be interested in learning more about the resources and services of the AHA Constituency Section for Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Services.