In recent years, enormous advances have been made in treatments available for persons with mental illness. New medications have emerged; new services, supports, and interventions have proven effective. Researchers have conducted studies and collected data - they have developed an "evidence base" - which demonstrate the effectiveness and applicability of some of these treatments and approaches. Gradually, a body of research literature is growing to support the choice of particular interventions in certain situations. While some researchers might argue over the standards by which an intervention or treatment approach is judged to be evidence-based, there is general agreement that the term and designation imply that a given practice has withstood rigorous scientific examination.

The public mental health system must take steps to ensure that practice keeps pace with research. By ensuring that what is done meshes with what is known, mental health policy makers and providers can reduce the numbers of homeless individuals on the streets, the numbers of individuals with mental illness whose behavior or crimes attract the attention of police officers, and the numbers of attempted and completed suicides by people who have not received effective treatment for their mental illness. 

Recommendations:

a.

Implement evidence-based practices into the public mental health system.

b.

Incorporate recent findings, best practices, and promising practices into existing approaches at the agency level.

c.

Promote and support research in the government, academic, and private sectors into the causes and treatment of mental illness.

d.

Employ effective mechanisms to disseminate research findings and promote promising practices and evidence-based practices to practitioners in the field.