Innovation in mental health and addiction treatment has never been more important.

A quarter of the world’s population is estimated to be affected by mental health or neurological challenges in their lifetime.¹1 In 2014, approximately 20% of U.S. adults had a mental illness and 22.5 million Americans aged 12 or older were in need of treatment for alcohol or substance drug abuse.²2 In 2017, drug overdoses were the leading cause of injury-related deaths in the United States.³3 That same year, 11 million U.S. adults 18 years or older had at least one major depressive episode within the previous 12 months, with more than 60% experiencing impairment severe enough to limit their ability to carry out life activities.⁴4 Mental health and substance use addiction treatment is more essential than ever, and these areas are desperate for clinically significant innovation.

Advancing effective and breakthrough applications in neuroscience research to become adopted therapeutic interventions that optimize human functioning requires clear information, shared standards of care, agreed upon contexts of use, and broad awareness of benefits. By sharing what works, promoting a regulatory standard of care, informing consumer expectations for treatment, and building influential collaborations, BrainFutures leverage its resources, experience, and networks to meaningfully move the needle on addressing effective and safe use of innovative approaches to mental health and addiction treatment.

BrainFutures’ efforts to assess emerging practical applications to prevent and treat mental health and addiction challenges will give purchasers, providers and consumers access to an objective, scientifically-validated analysis of interventions that meet quality standards and provide a basis from which to ensure investments in these promising tools are cost-effective.

[1] World Health Organization. (2001). Mental disorders affect one in four people. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/whr/2001/media_centre/press_release/en/
[2] Han, B., Hedden, S.L., Lipari, R., Copello, E.A.P., & Kroutil, L.A. (September 2015). Receipt of Services for Behavioral Health Problems: Results from the 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUH-DR-FRR3-2014/NSDUH-DR-FRR3-2014/NSDUH-DR-FRR3-2014.htm
[3] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (March 2020). Opioid Overdose. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/index.html
[4] National Institute of Mental Health. (2019). Major Depression. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression.shtml#part_155721