Enhancing Care and Services for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders

Structural and systemic barriers continue to limit access to high-quality mental health and substance use disorder (MHSUD) care, particularly in underserved communities. Understanding how health and human services influence care delivery is essential to improving outcomes.

In July 2025, the National Academies Forum on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders hosted a public workshop to explore how infrastructure, policies, and structural determinants of health such as housing and food security impact the accessibility, quality, and coordination of MHSUD services. Participants discussed various ways to operationalize promising practices, as well as strategies for uplifting community voices and strengthening accountability across the health and social sectors. This Proceedings of a Workshop-In Brief summarizes the presentations and discussions from the two-day event.

URL: Enhancing Care and Services for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders