Publications

Publications

Mental Health,Substance Use

Veteran health care

Michigan health care and mental health care providers need more training, support to serve the state’s aging veterans

Only 6.7 percent of Michigan health care and mental health providers are fully prepared to serve Michigan’s aging veteran population according to a new report by the Center for Health and Research Transformation (CHRT) at the University of Michigan. This finding is based on CHRT’s statewide assessment of the readiness and capacity of Michigan health care providers to serve older …

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Cartoon woman surrounded by colored puzzle pieces

Designing integrated behavioral health services for Medicaid enrollees, background and case studies

A growing number of states are implementing new strategies to better integrate health services and provide holistic care–particularly for Medicaid beneficiaries–with the ultimate goals of improving care coordination and patient outcomes and, in some cases, lowering health care expenses as well. For decades, physical and behavioral health care–including both mental health and substance use disorder treatment–have operated in silos. Too …

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Autumn-colored leaves forming the shape of a human head

Michiganders continue to report difficulty accessing mental health care, forgoing needed care.

The 2020 Cover Michigan Survey, an online survey fielded in early 2020 (before the COVID-19 pandemic began impacting Michigan), asked Michiganders about their ability to access mental health care. Across Michigan, 47 percent of survey respondents reporting needing mental health care before the COVID-19 pandemic, and the COVID-19 pandemic is thought to be exacerbating mental healthcare needs. Among these Michiganders, …

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Cartoon of 2 people and a large statue of a head comprised of puzzle pieces

Protecting individuals with SMI from COVID-19: Best practices for community mental health agencies and clinics

For individuals with a serious mental illness (SMI)—a mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder that interferes with or limits major life activities—the COVID-19 pandemic may present a particular threat. Community mental health agencies and clinics need to be prepared to protect their clients with SMIs from COVID-19 by understanding and following best practices for this unique situation. To slow the spread …

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covid-19, thinking

COVID-19 rapid response brief: Meeting the behavioral health needs of Michigan’s prison population

Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, staff members at the Center for Health and Research Transformation (CHRT) have been conducting rapid response research for Michigan policy leaders who are working proactively to protect vulnerable communities across the state. In this analysis for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, we explore best practices for meeting the behavioral health needs of Michigan’s …

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Lack of behavioral health workers in rural america

Recruiting and retaining behavioral health workers in rural America: Our report and action guide

In the U.S., there are not enough behavioral health workers to meet the demand for mental health and substance use services, particularly in rural areas. Over the past year, the Center for Health and Research Transformation (CHRT) has worked closely with the University of Michigan’s Behavioral Health Workforce Research Center (BHWRC) to explore the approaches states have taken to address …

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3 human heads with a grid-type overlay

A primer on Michigan’s community mental health system: A report for the Ethel and James Flinn Foundation

Michigan’s community mental health (CMH) system serves more than 300,000 people: Approximately 155,000 adults with serious mental illness, 51,000 children with serious emotional disturbance, 50,000 people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, and 73,000 people with substance use disorder. These community mental health services are funded by Medicaid, state general funds, block grants, and local funds. Approximately half (49 percent) of …

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Drawing of a pile of pills

Michigan Physician Survey–perspectives on opioid prescribing policies, medication assisted treatment

Whether opioid policy reforms and additional resources will have an impact on opioid use depends in part on physician support. Physicians need to be key partners in the implementation of changes in opioid prescribing and in providing supportive treatment approaches. In order to understand the likelihood that these policies will succeed, CHRT’s latest Michigan Physician Survey asked physicians about their …

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Hand holding rainbow umbrella over a sea of black umbrellas

Cover Michigan Survey: Use of Health Care Benefits in Michigan

Data from the Center for Health and Research Transformation’s (CHRT) 2018 Cover Michigan Survey show health benefits that Michiganders with health insurance coverage have used in the past year (1)Survey participants were asked whether or not they or other family members covered by their plans used each health care benefit in the past 12 months.. Detail on the Cover Michigan …

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Word, Chronic Pain, with pills

Quick Facts: Chronic Pain in Michigan

Not everyone suffers from chronic pain in Michigan, but many people do. Our Cover Michigan Survey found that more than 35 percent of the state’s residents say they experienced chronic pain which limited their lives or work within the last year. This is similar result to research finding at least 30% of Americans report suffering from chronic pain. These infographics …

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References

References
1 Survey participants were asked whether or not they or other family members covered by their plans used each health care benefit in the past 12 months.