The Mental Health Services and Policy Research Division's work is practical. Investigators examine the structure, content and outcomes of care as it occurs in real world settings. Researchers aim to gain an understanding of what interventions are most helpful in allowing people to maximize their recovery from mental illnesses. This includes examining what interventions work, how well they work, for whom they work best, the cost of these interventions, and the organizational and financing strategies that allow effective interventions to be implemented and sustained.

The Division leadership also works to help OMH implement effective services in the public mental health system, assisting OMH on time-sensitive, policy-relevant issues such as evaluation of Timothy's Law (NY parity legislation), psychotropic prescribing practices, and enhanced screening to identify youth in need of mental health services (Clinic Plus). In addition, the Division seeks to foster translation of research findings into practice for all NYSPI departments, including promoting collaborations with other CUMC Schools (Public Health, Social Work, Nursing, and Informatics) and other entities such as the Nathan Kline Institute and the NYC Department of Health.

The prevention, detection, treatment of mental illnesses across the lifespan to promote recovery are at the core of the Division. Policy makers should have research to guide them, yet too often the data needed are not available to inform decision making. Similarly, services researchers should address questions of high policy relevance to decision makers so that services issues determine research topics. The Division, headed by Susan Essock, PhD, includes experienced scientists examining services and interventions for the major psychiatric disorders including early signs of psychosis in schizophrenia, substance abuse and mental illness, training workforce to treat HIV and serious mental disorders, quality indicators for mental health services, medication algorithms for youth with ADHD. There are several service programs in the Division that offer research on effectiveness of implementation including the COPES clinic for NYPD officers with 9/11 related mental health problems and screening for suicide risk in teens. A new NIHM-funded Developing Center is examining a range of implementation and organizational strategies for improving the uptake of effective clinical services in OMH's children's outpatient system through targeted family engagement, empowerment and support services. Adaptations and outcomes of Assertive Community Treatment for adults with severe mental illnesses and engagement of the Hispanic community and local providers in partnership with PI are vital public health policy priorities as is providing appropriate mental health care to youth at risk in the juvenile justice system .

Several members of the Division focus on ways to foster infrastructure to support quality care, such as mental health informatics. Early detection of mental health problems and intervention to help prevent school failure and drop out are the focus on several investigators. Other clinicians in the Division offer therapies to adults with psychotic disorders, including cognitive remediation and CBT for persons with schizophrenia. The Division will continue to grow in ways useful to OMH and to consumers in need of interventions to speed recovery and sustain health.