This research explores how experiences of discrimination in mental health/substance abuse services may contribute to the greater level of unmet mental health needs among racial/ethnic minorities. The study examined the California Quality of Life Survey responses from adults who indicated they used mental health or substance abuse services in the previous year. Latinos were twice as likely to report discrimination than White patients, and those who were uninsured and who had a diagnosed mental health disorder also faced higher rates of discrimination. Perceived discrimination was linked to finding treatment “not helpful” and leaving treatment early. The authors conclude that “improving the treatment experiences of vulnerable populations in mental health and substance abuse services may be a critical step in reducing mental health disparities, particularly for uninsured and racial/ethnic minority patients.”

Researchers interviewed unemployed individuals with mental health problems about their perspectives on seeking mental health services. They spoke of barriers, such as stigma, discrimination, and ineffective mental health services, that prevent them from accessing mental health services. They also recognized facilitators for accessing services, such as society’s growing acceptance of using mental health services and encouragement from employment agency staff.

This one-page fact sheet from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) guides users in identifying treatment services options in their community, whether they have health insurance or not. It lists the five signs of quality treatment and how users should evaluate each in a provider: accreditation, medication, evidence-based practices, families, and supports. Practitioners may also be interested in SAMHSA’s brochure Should You Talk to Someone About a Drug, Alcohol, or Mental Health Problem? which can be ordered for free, and their Toolkit for National Prevention Week 2018 with information about planning and hosting a mental health awareness event.

This journal article from the journal Psychiatric Services describes a study which tested the hypothesis that social anxiety disorder impedes self-sufficiency in women receiving welfare by hindering their employment efforts. Study results showed an association between social anxiety disorder and less time worked among mothers on welfare. Other barriers that posed a significant concern for women in this economic group include poor physical health of mothers and their children, inadequate transportation, low educational attainment, and lack of literacy.

This journal article from the journal Psychiatric Services describes a study that identified Temporary Assistance for Needy Family (TANF) recipients who use mental health services, compared them with Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients, and estimated the number of TANF recipients who could qualify for SSI. Results found that 13 percent of TANF beneficiaries and 32 percent of SSI beneficiaries with Medicaid claims had a mental disorder. The study concluded that the proportion of TANF recipients using mental health services was lower than those identified through surveys as having a mental disorder, most likely because some TANF recipients had undiagnosed and untreated mental disorders.

May is national Mental Health Awareness Month, and May 13-19 was National Prevention Week (NPW) 2018 when social service agencies raise awareness about the importance of positive mental health and substance use prevention. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides a webpage entitled "Toolkit for Planning Your Event" which includes links to a planning toolkit for events during NPW, as well as a customizable fact sheet and promotional videos. Visitors to the webpage are also offered an opportunity to register their events on the Community Events page to share their NPW activities.

This article from Partnership for Drug-Free Kids highlights a recent research finding that shows that the opioid epidemic is concentrated in high-poverty counties, particularly those in Appalachia. This finding provides significant information to guide stakeholders and policymakers as targeting resources to address the crisis are discussed. The article links to the findings published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

This report from the Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation is one in a series of reports to be produced from the Behavioral Interventions to Advance Self-Sufficiency (BIAS) project, which seeks to use a behavioral economics lens to examine programs that serve poor and vulnerable families in the United States. This report presents findings of a project done in collaboration with the Washington State Division of Child Support, in which a behavioral intervention was used to increase the number of incarcerated noncustodial parents who requested modifications to their existing child support orders, thereby decreasing the amount of arrears they accrued while incarcerated. The impact of the intervention was found to be statistically significant.

This research report from the Economic Research Service within the U.S. Department of Agriculture examines the evolution of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program over the years and uses the historical perspective to examine several major program design issues. It analyzes these design issues and examines the various policy decisions that have shaped the program as it is today.