New Searchable Database of Evidence-Based Practices in Prevention and Treatment of Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released a new National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP) to help local organizations make informed decisions about evidence-based interventions for the prevention and treatment of mental health and substance abuse disorders. 

NREPP is a searchable online registry of mental health and substance abuse interventions that have been reviewed and rated by independent reviewers.  The database provides up-to-date, reliable information on the scientific basis and practicality of interventions.  The registry can assist users in identifying approaches to preventing and treating mental and/or substance use disorders that have been scientifically tested and that can be readily disseminated.  Through this system, SAMHSA hopes to improve access to information on tested interventions and thereby reduce the lag time between the creation of scientific knowledge and its practical application in the field. 

Key features of the NREPP system include:

• Custom searches based upon desired outcomes, target populations and service settings;
• Details on each intervention including: a brief descriptive summary, the types of outcomes achieved, the costs of implementing the intervention, and the complete contact information for the intervention developer; and
• Two independent expert ratings for each intervention – the first assessing the quality of research supporting specific intervention outcomes, and the second assessing the availability of implementation and training materials to support adoption of the intervention in routine service settings. 

NREPP initially will have 25 interventions that have been examined and rated by experts.  There are also an additional 200 interventions under review and NREPP is expected to add five to ten new interventions each month.  All NREPP reviewers are recruited, selected, and approved by SAMHSA based on their experience and areas of expertise.  Experts rate the intervention based on the quality of research supporting specific intervention outcomes, and on the availability of implementation resources which can be used to translate scientific findings into routine practice.

The Need for Schools to Use Evidence-based Approaches When Dealing with Mental Health Issues and/or Substance Abuse

Evidence-based practices stand in contrast to approaches that are based on tradition, convention, belief or anecdotal evidence; they are validated by some form of documented scientific evidence and are shown to “work”, that is, be effective within certain populations. 

Schools face the daily challenge of dealing with millions of students with mental health disorders and/or substance abuse issues.  The latest Surgeon General’s Call to Action, for instance, shows that nearly 7.2 million of adolescents are considered binge drinkers and more than 2 million are classified as heavy drinkers.  Substance abuse and/or mental health disorders can hinder a student’s ability to concentrate and do well in school.  The use of evidence-based practices within the context of a Coordinated School Health Program model – which has as one of its components counseling and psychological services – can help children detour from risky behaviors and improve their mental health, thus, making them better students.

SAMHSA advises that NREPP users carefully weigh all information provided and that NREPP is intended to serve as a decision support tool, not as an authoritative list of effective interventions.  Also, users are encouraged to make their own judgments about which interventions are best suited to particular needs.

For additional information on NREPP ratings, how to use NREPP to identify specific interventions, or how to submit an intervention for review, visit the NREPP website at http://www.nrepp.samhsa.gov/; contact NREPP at 1-866-43NREPP; or send an email to NREPP@samhsa.hhs.gov.

Source: “ SAMHSA Launches Searchable Database of Evidence-Based Practices in Prevention and Treatment of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Disorders,” SAMHSA Press Release, March 1, 2007; “NREPP website”; and “ The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Prevent and Reduce Underage Drinking,” 2007.