PROCESS
Investigate a Focus Area

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment and Prevention

1. Describe the epidemiology of mental health and substance abuse for children, adults,
   and older adults, and their cost implications.
   
2. Discuss the legislative history of mental health parity and why mental health services
   are covered differently than physical illness.
   
3. Briefly describe the public, private, and volunteer structures for mental healthcare
   delivery in the U.S.
   
4. Which branch(es) of the federal government are responsible for mental health? Substance abuse research and policy? Substance abuse prevention?
   
5. Describe the strengths, weaknesses, and unique characteristics of U.S. mental health and substance abuse treatment and prevention programs.

Useful Web Sites

Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General
http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/mentalhealth/toc.html

Substance Abuse and Services Administration:
http://www.samhsa.gov/

National Institute of Mental Health:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/

DHHS: Disease Index
http://www.dhhs.gov/diseases/index.shtml#substance

Select Evaluation to review criteria by which your presentation
will be judged.