The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) is dedicated to providing mental health services that are based on the best evidence available and improve outcomes and quality of life for people with mental illness. Over the past decade, research in the field of mental health has demonstrated that there is consistent scientific evidence that some specific practices work well in improving outcomes in the lives of individuals with a serious mental illness. These specific practices, called evidence-based practices (EBPs), are interventions for which there is consistent scientific evidence showing that they improve consumer outcomes. National studies have shown that a majority of individuals diagnosed with a serious mental illness do not have access to these EBPs; hence OMH has funded the Center for Practice Innovations (CPI) to help implement and sustain EBPs statewide.
Six widely recognized evidence-based practices for adults are:
- Assertive Community Treatment
- Family Psychoeducation
- Illness Management and Recovery
- Integrated Dual Disorders Treatment
- Medication Management
- Supported Employment