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About 10 million Americans will have at least one diagnosable mental disorder and one co-occurring substance abuse disorder this year, yet a significant gap still exists between mental health and substance abuse systems. The lack of integrated service, policy, funding and program systems often inhibit consumer treatment and recovery, according to Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon
General. As a result, there is an immediate need for quality services that effectively address co-occurring substance abuse and mental health problems. "Many people with these co-occurring disorders fall between the cracks as a result of being shuffled back and forth between mental health and substance abuse treatment providers," said Mary Graham, the National Mental Health
Association's (NMHA) vice president of healthcare reform.

People dealing with co-occurring disorders are often unprepared to successfully navigate the complexities of multiple treatment systems. If not properly treated initially, consumers can wind up in hospital emergency rooms, detoxification centers or justice facilities-all of which can complicate any existing treatment. Eventually, consumers of treatment services become frustrated and may discontinue treatment.

"Consumers should be able to spend more time on recovery and less time trying to maneuver multiple treatment systems," added Graham.

While the Surgeon General's Report advocates for "coordinated services," NMHA and its allies need to stress the importance of integrated treatment services for consumers with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders. This includes creating shared funding streams and increasing the number of cross-trained service providers. The best outcomes are achieved when treatment is integrated and coordinated to respond to the needs of consumers with co-occurring mental health problems. Mental health advocates need to work closely with substance abuse prevention organizations to coordinate their services and outreach to the community.

"The mental health and substance abuse fields are now challenged to jointly design and deliver the integrated services that will make a profound difference to these consumers, their families and their communities," said Michael Faenza, NMHA's president and CEO.