Partners in Behavioral Health Sciences

Partners in Behavioral Health Sciences (PIBHS) is an educational program focused on promoting knowledge and understanding of mental health and substance use problems by providing current science-based information to a broad audience including children and adolescents as well as adults. Its primary emphasis is on behavioral health issues affecting youth. It is founded upon a collaboration of university- and community-based researchers and clinicians, primary and secondary teachers and other school personnel, and students.
 
Behavioral health disorders are a leading cause of disability and premature death. Their costs in terms of lost productivity at work, school, or home were estimated at almost $80 billion in 1990. In a given year, about 9% of adults and 9 to 13% of children and adolescents have a mental or substance use disorder severe enough to cause impairment in daily functioning. However, the vast majority of people with behavioral health problems do not get help even though effective treatments exist for many of these disorders. Barriers limiting access to behavioral health care include lack of understanding about the nature of behavioral health problems and treatment options, lack of knowledge of resources for care, and concern about social stigma, in addition to difficulty paying for needed services.