Behavioral Health Workforce: Challenges And Opportunities In Changing Times

In September 2013, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) Administration Director, Pam Hyde, gave a presentation at the SAMHSA Meeting, "The Evolving Behavioral Health Workforce." The presentation included a high-level overview of the impact of federal health care reform, national prevention strategy, and behavioral health parity on unmet behavioral health needs and the behavioral health workforce. Included was a discussion of the increased value and use of peers and paraprofessional practitioners (the non-traditional health care workforce), including opportunities (and challenges) for providers.

. . .