Behavioral Health Workforce Research Center

The Behavioral Health Workforce Research Center, established in September 2015 and housed at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, is dedicated to enhancing the workforce responsible for mental health and substance use disorder prevention and treatment. With nearly one-fifth of the U.S. adult population facing diagnosable mental illnesses, the Center addresses critical challenges in providing behavioral health care services, particularly for minority and vulnerable populations.

The Center focuses on three key research areas: Workforce Planning, Workforce Development, and Service Delivery, conducting comprehensive studies to inform effective workforce development and planning initiatives. Supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), it collaborates with a national consortium of partners and experts in the fields of mental health and substance abuse research. Through its work, the Center aims to reduce mental health disparities and foster improved access to quality behavioral health services across the nation.