Mental Health Innovations Series
The FY2026 Technical Assistance Coalition policy paper series, produced by National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) on behalf of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) is all about innovation. Defined as the application of new ideas or processes that improve existing systems or create value, the 2026 Mental Health Innovations Series presents the emerging science and practical application considerations for innovative treatment approaches for individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) and youth with serious emotional disturbances.
The papers in this series provide system leaders, policymakers and providers the cutting-edge of psychiatric practice and mental health service systems today, with evidence around what holds promise and where more research and regulatory infrastructure may be needed to fully implement into public service systems.
- Expanding Access to Brain Stimulation Therapies for Serious Mental Illness
- Artificial Intelligence in Mental Health Services: Opportunities, Challenges, and Future Directions
- Integrating Physical and Behavioral Health: Addressing Co-occurring Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders with Chronic Physical Illnesses
- Strategies for Staying in Care: Enhancing Engagement and Improving Treatment Retention in Mental Health Services
Refocus and Renew: Moving Towards Health Technical Assistance Papers
The Technical Assistance Coalition series of 10 papers calls on state leaders to refocus on serious mental illness (SMI) and serious emotional disturbances (SED) treatment and recovery— and to renew their commitment to system changes in improving whole-person health. The series focuses on providing updated information and guidance on SMI and SED and renewing efforts for systems-level changes.
Beginning with the “umbrella paper” that covers leading policy themes related to each of the subsequent papers, together, these papers highlight key areas of consideration for refocusing on SMI and SED treatment and recovery, and renewing commitment to system changes and improving whole-person health.
By refocusing attention on whole health, SMI and SED, further progress can be made to enhance the entire continuum of mental health, substance use and physical health care that is coordinated and meets people’s needs.
The papers from this series will be published on this webpage as they are released:
- Refocus and Renew: Moving Toward Health for Adults with Serious Mental Illness and Youth with Serious Emotional Disturbances
- Improving Maternal Mental Health in Women With Serious Mental Illness
- Serious Emotional Disturbances in Children, Youth, and Young Adults
- Strengthening Systems to Address Eating Disorders
- The Latest on Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders
- Legal Tools Throughout the Behavioral Health Care Continuum
- A Systems-Based Approach to Supporting Individuals Who Have Experienced Grief and Loss
- Cross-System Collaboration to Support Children and Youth with Behavioral Health Needs and Their Families
Advancing Crisis Care and Beyond: Technical Assistance Papers to Foster Well-being and Promote Personal and Community Safety
This series of papers aims to build upon the work being done to implement the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and the behavioral health services continuum that complements it. This series of papers also advances the work of prevention, safety, resiliency, and recovery, which complements the work in crisis services.
Beginning with the “umbrella paper” that covers leading policy themes related to each of the subsequent papers, these papers highlight key areas of consideration for advancing crisis care and crisis care follow-up. In addition, the papers put forth recommendations for specific strategies to foster well-being and promote personal and community safety.
The papers will be published on this webpage as they become final. They are:
