The Mental Health Services and Policy Program (MHSPP) is a multidisciplinary research and educational program based in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and affiliated with the Institute for Healthcare Studies at Northwestern University. The mission of MHSPP is to support research on access to, organization and economics of, and outcomes from mental health services across the lifespan.

The MHSPP sponsors one to two students each year in the Clinical Psychology doctoral program. These students are offered a research emphasis in services and policy research and provided with a variety of educational opportunities to this end. In addition to the clinical training which is standard to the doctoral program, MHSPP students participate in a year long mental health services research seminar taught by John Lyons, PhD. In addition, students take courses in health services and policy from Kellogg School of Management's health administration graduate program. In their fourth year, MHSPP doctoral students participate in an administration and policy practicum of their design. Previous students have had practicum experiences in managed care firms, state departments of mental health, and juvenile justice.

Over the past year, John Lyons, PhD, the Director of MHSPP has been working with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to use outcomes management technology to assist in the reform efforts of this agency. This work has received national attention through Dr. Lyons collaboration with the Washington Business Group on Health and has resulted in a number of other states using the approaches developed in MHSPP to drive reform efforts. These projects are inventoried below:

1. Illinois Department of Children and Family Services

   • designed, implemented, and now managed statewide clinical and service use database for crisis assessment (SASS) services provided to children and adolescents who are wards of the state.

   • designed and implemented decision support instrument and procedure for placement review teams (gatekeeping residential placements).

   • assisted in design of pathway model for improving the use of psychological testing services.

2. Florida Agency for Health Care (Medicaid)-designed an evaluation of the potential for a bundled rate methodology for residential services. (to be followed up this fall with evaluation of the impact of this methodology)

3. Florida Juvenile Justice-completed an evaluation of the reasons for an increased in the use of psychotropic medications among Level 9 and 10 placements.

4. South Carolina Department of Social Services-assisted in the development of a decision support tool for managing intensive case management services

5. Virginia Department of Mental Health-collaborated on an evaluation of the Community Services Act programs

6. Oregon Department of Mental Health-developed decision support and outcome prediction models for residential care services

7. Blue Cross/Blue Shield Technology Evaluation Center--Consulted on the evaluation of the efficacy and effectiveness of medical/surgical interventions

Also, the MHSPP has developed a set of state-of-the-art outcome management measures. For adults these measures include the Severity of Psychiatric Illness (SPI) and the Acuity of Psychiatric Illness (API). Child/adolescent versions have been developed as well. These measures are widely used in the United States, Canada, and Europe to study both the adult and child/adolescent mental health service systems. This year a contractual relationship between Northwestern University (through Technology Transfer) and the Psychological Corporation (the world's largest publisher of psychological tests) was established.

During the past year, MHSPP received a grant from the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission through the National Council on Crime and Delinquency to do the development research on designing a screening instrument for psychiatric problems among children and adolescents in the juvenile justice system.

RECENT PUBLICATIONS

Becker, M., Jordan, N., & Larsen, R. (2006). Behavioral health service use and costs among children in foster care. Child Welfare , 85 , (3), 633-647.

Elkin, I. , Falconnier, L., Martinovich, Z., & Mahoney, C. (2006). Therapist effects in the National Institute of Mental Health Treatment of Depression Collaborative Research Program. Psychotherapy Research , 16 , (2), 144-160.

Jones, K., Chen, H. J., Jordan , N., Boothroyd, R. A., Ramoni-Perazzi, J., & Shern, D. L. (2006). Examination of the effects of financial risk on the formal treatment costs for a Medicaid population with psychiatric disabilities. Medical Care , 44 , (4), 320-327.

Kisiel, C., Blaustein, M., Spinazzola, J., Schmidt, C.S., Zucker, M. & van der Kolk, B. (2006). Evaluation of a theater-based youth violence pre vention program for elementary school children. Journal of S chool Violence , 5 , (2), 19-36.

Leon, S. C., Snowden, J., Bryant, F. B., & Lyons, J. S. (2006). The hospital as predictor of children's and adolescents' length of stay. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry , 45 , (3), 322-328.

Lo Sasso, A. T., Lindrooth, R. C., Lurie, I. Z., & Lyons, J. S. (2006). Expanded mental health benefits and outpatient depression treatment intensity. Medical Care , 44 , (4), 366-372.

Lutz, W., Saunders, S. M., Leon , S. C., Martinovich, Z., Kosfelder, J., Schulte, D., Grawe, K., & Tholen, S. (2006). Empirically and clinically useful decision making in psychotherapy: differential predictions with treatment response models. Psychological Assessment , 18 , (2), 133-141.

Lyons, J. S. (2006). The complexity of communication in an environment with multiple disciplines and professionals: communimetrics and decision support. Medical Clinics of North America , 90 , (4), 693-701.

Lyons, J. S. & McCulloch, J. R. (2006). Monitoring and managing outcomes in residential treatment: practice-based evidence in search of evidence-based practice. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry , 45 , (2), 247-251.

Stiefel, F. C., Huyse, F. J., Sollner, W., Slaets, J. P., Lyons, J. S., Latour, C. H., van der Wal, N., & de Jonge, P. (2006). Operationalizing integrated care on a clinical level: the INTERMED project. Medical Clinics of North America , 90 , (4), 713-758.

Dunlop, D. D. , Manheim, L. M., Song, J., Lyons, J. S., & Chang, R. W. (2005). Incidence of disability among preretirement adults: the impact of depression. American Journal of Public Health , 95 , (11), 2003-2008.

Leon , S. C., Martinovich, Z., Lutz, W., & Lyons, J. S. (2005). The effect of therapist experience on psychotherapy outcomes. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy , 12 , (6), 417-426.

Rothbard, A., Murrin, M. R., Jordan, N., Kuno, E., McFarland, B. H., Stroup, T. S., Morrissey, J. P., Stiles, P. G., Boothroyd, R. A., Merwin, E., & Shern, D. L. (2005). Effects of antipsychotic medication on psychiatric service utilization and cost. Journal of Mental Health Policy and Economics , 8 , (2), 83-93.

Teplin, L., Abram, K., McClelland, G., Washburn, J., & Pikus, A. (2005). Detecting mental disorder in juvenile detainees: who receives services? American Journal of Public Health , 95 , (10), 1772-1780.

Teplin, L., Elkington, K., McClelland, G., Abram, K., Mericle, A., & Washburn, J. (2005). Major mental disorders, substance use disorders, comorbidity, and HIV-AIDS risk behaviors in juvenile detainees. Psychiatric Services , 56 (7), 823-828.

Teplin, L., McClelland, G., Abram, K., & Weiner, D. (2005). Crime victimization in adults with severe mental illness: comparison with the National Crime Victimization Survey. Archives of General Psychiatry , 62 , (8), 911-921.

von Gunten, C. F., Twaddle, M., Preodor, M., Neely, K. J., Martinez , J., & Lyons, J. (2005). Evidence of improved knowledge and skills after an elective rotation in a hospice and palliative care program for internal medicine residents. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care , 22, (3), 195-203.

Watson, A. C., Miller, F. E., & Lyons, J. S. (2005). Adolescent attitudes toward serious mental illness. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease , 193 , (11), 769-772.

Mulder, C.L., Koopmans, G.T., Lyons, J.S. (2005).  The admission process untangled.  Determinants of indicated versus actual level of care in psychiatric emergency services.  Psychiatric Services 56, 452-457.

Mallinson, T., Lyons, J.S., Waldinger, H., Feinglass, J., Semanik, P., Chang, R.W. (2005).  Promoting physical activity in persons with arthritis.  OT Practice, March 7, 10-14.

Abram, K., Teplin, L., Charles, D., Longworth, S., McClelland, G., & Dulcan, M. (2004). Posttraumatic stress disorder and trauma in youth in juvenile detention. Archives of General Psychiatry , 61 , (4), 403-410.

McClelland, G., Elkington, K., Teplin, L., & Abram, K. (2004). Multiple substance use disorders in juvenile detainees. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolsecent Psychiatry , 43 , 10, 1215-1224.

Sanchez-Johnsen, L. A. P., Fitzgibbon, M. L., Martinovich, Z., Stolley, M. R., Dyer, A. R., & Van Horn, L. (2004). Ethnic differences in correlates of obesity between Latin-American and Black women. Obesity Research , 12 , (4), 652-660.

Stolley, M. R., Fitzgibbon, M. L., Wells, A., & Martinovich, Z. (2004). Addressing multiple breast cancer risk factors in African-American women. Journal of the National Medical Association , 96 , (1), 76-86.

Yampolskaya, S., Paulson, R. I., Armstrong, M., Jordan, N., & Vargo, A. C. (2004). Child welfare privatization: quantitative indicators and policy issues. Evaluation Review , 28 , (2), 87-103.

Lyons, J.S. (2004).  Redressing the Emperor:  Improving the children's public mental health system. Praeger Publishing, Westport , Connecticut .

Lyons, J.S., Rogers , L (2004).  The U.S. child welfare system:  A defacto public behavioral healthcare system.  Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry , 43 , 971-973.

He, X.Z., Lyons, J.S., Heinemann, AW. (2004).  Modeling crisis decision making for children in state custody.  General Hospital Psychiatry , 26, 2, 373-383.

Dunlop, D.D., Lyons, J.S., Manheim, L.M., Song, J., Chang, R.W. (2004).  Arthritis, heart disease as risk factors for major depression:  the role of functional limitations.  Medical Care ,  42, 502.

Rawal, P., Romansky, J., Jenuwine, M., Lyons, J.S. (2004).  Racial differences in the mental health needs and service utilization of youth in the juvenile justice system .  Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research 31, 178-188.

Lyons, J.S., MacIntyre, J.C., Lee, M.E. , Carpinello, S., Zuber, M.P., Fazio, M.L. (2004).  Psychotropic medication prescription patterns for children an adolescents in New York 's public mental health system.  Community Mental Health , 40, 101-118.

LoSasso, A.T., Lyons, J.S. (2004).  The sensitivity of substance abuse treatment intensity to copayment levels. Journal of Behavioral Health Services and Research , 31, (1), 50-65.

Fawley, K., Shalla, H., Griffin , G., Lyons, J.S. (2004).  Addressing the mental health needs of detained juvenile.  Correctional Health Care Report, January/February, 7-9.

Abram, K., Teplin, L., & McClelland, G. (2003). Comorbidity of severe psychiatric disorders and substance use disorders among women in jail. American Journal of Psychiatry , 160 , (5), 1007-1010.

Abram, K., Teplin, L., McClelland, G., & Dulcan, M. (2003). Comorbid psychiatric disorders in youth in juvenile detention. Archives of General Psychiatry , 60 , (11), 1097-1108.

Charles, D., Abram, K., McClelland, G., & Teplin, L. (2003). Suicidal ideation and behavior among women in jail. Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice , 19, (1), 65-81.

Dasinger, L. K., Shane, P. A., & Martinovich, Z. (2004). Assessing the effectiveness of community-based substance abuse treatment for adolescents. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs , 36 , (1), 27-33.

Friedmann, P. D., Lemon, S. C., Durkin, E. M., & D'Aunno, T. A. (2003). Trends in comprehensive service availability in outpatient drug abuse treatment. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment , 24 , (1), 81-88.

Rust, G., Minor, P., Jordan , N., Mayberry, R., & Satcher, D. (2003). Do clinicians screen Medicaid patients for syphilis or HIV when they diagnose other sexually transmitted diseases? Sexually Transmitted Diseases , 30 , (9), 723-727.

Speiglman, R., Norris, J., Kappagoda, S., Green, R. S., & Martinovich, Z. (2003). SSI receipt and alcohol and other drug use among former SSI DA&A beneficiaries. Contemporary Drug Problems , 30 , (1-2), 291-333.

Swartz, J. A. & Martinovich, Z. (2003). General course and correlates of improvement and decline following termination of the Supplemental Security Income impairment category for drug addiction and alcoholism. Contemporary Drug Problems , 30 , (1-2), 425-454.

Swartz, J. A., Martinovich, Z., & Goldstein, P. (2003). An analysis of the criminogenic effects of terminating the Supplemental Security Income impairment category for drug addiction and alcoholism. Contemporary Drug Problems , 30 , (1-2), 391-424.

Teplin, L., Mericle, A., McClelland, G., & Abram, K. (2003). HIV and AIDS risk behaviors in juvenile detainees: implications for public health policy. American Journal of Public Health , 93 , (6), 906-912.

Dunlop, DD, Song, J, Lyons, JS, Manheim, LM, Chang, RW (2003).  Racial/ethnic differences in prevalence of depression among pre-retirement adults.  American Journal of Public Health 93, 1945-1952.

Lyons , J.S., Griffin , G. , Jenuwine, M., Shasha, M., Quintenz, S. (2003).  The mental health juvenile justice initiative.  Clinical and forensic outcomes for a state-wide program.  Psychiatric Services, 54, 1629-1634.

Baerger, D.R., Griffin , G., Lyons , J.S., Simmons, R. (2003).  Competency to stand trial in pre-adjudicated and petitioned juvenile defendants .  Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law , 31, 314-320.

Romansky, J.B., Lyons, J.S., Kaufman, R., West, C.M. (2003).  Factors related to psychiatric hospital readmission for children and adolescents in state custody.  Psychiatric Services ,  54, 356-362.

Rawal, P., Lyons, J.S., MacIntyre, J., Hunter, J.C. (2003).  Regional variations and clinical indicators of antipsychotic use in residential treatment:  A four state comparison.  Journal of Behavioral Health Services and Research 31. 178-188.

Goodwin R.D., Hoven C.W., Lyons J.S., Stein M.B. (2003). Mental health service utilization in the US : The role of personality. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 12, 561-566.

Anderson, R.L., Lyons, J.S., Giles, D.M., Price, J.A., Estes, G.  (2003).  Examining the Reliability of the Child and Adolescent Needs and  Strengths-Mental Health (CANS-MH) Scale from two perspectives: A comparison of clinician and researcher ratings.   Journal of Child and Family Studies , 12, 279-289.

Durkin, E. M. (2002). An organizational analysis of psychosocial and medical services in outpatient drug abuse treatment programs. Social Service Review , 76 , (3), 406-429.

Hannover , W., Richard, M., Hansen, N. B., Martinovich, Z., & Kordy, H. (2002). A classification tree model for decision-making in clinical practice: An application based on the data of the German multicenter study on eating disorders, project TR-EAT. Psychotherapy Research , 12 , (4), 445-461.

Lutz, W., Martinovich, Z., Howard, K. I., & Leon, S. C. (2002). Outcomes management, expected treatment response, and severity-adjusted provider profiling in outpatient psychotherapy. Journal of Clinical Psychology , 58 , (10), 1291-1304.

Lutz, W., Rafaeli, E., Howard, K. I., & Martinovich, Z. (2002). Adaptive modeling of progress in outpatient psychotherapy. Psychotherapy Research , 12, (4), 427-443.

Kisiel, C. L. & Lyons, J. S. (2001). Dissociation as a mediator of psychopathology among sexually abused children and adolescents. American Journal of Psychiatry , 158 (7), 1034-1039.

Lyons , J. S., Terry, P., Martinovich, Z., Peterson, J., & Bouska, B. (2001). Outcome trajectories for adolescents in residential treatment: A statewide evaluation. Journal of Child and Family Studies , 10 , (3), 333-345.

Oswald, D. P., Cohen, R., Best, A.M., Jenson, C.E., & Lyons, J.S. (2001). Child strengths and the level of care for children with emotional and behavorial disorders. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, 9 , (3), 192-199.

Lyons, J.S., Rawal, P., Yeh, I., Leon, S., Tracy, P.  (2001).  Use of measurement audit in outcome s management.  Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research , 29, (1), 75-80 .

Nierman, P., Lyons, J.S. (2001).  Shifting resources to the community:  Closing a state hospital for children. Psychiatric Services , 52, (9), 1157-1159.  

Kisiel, C.L., Lyons, J.S. (2001).  Dissociation as a mediator of response to sexual trauma. American Journal of Psychiatry 158, 1034-1039.

 

Weiner, D., Abraham, M., Lyons, J.S. (2001).  Clinical characteristics of children and adolescents with substance use problems:  Implications for residential treatment.  Psychiatric Services 52, 793-799.

 

Anderson, R.L., Lyons, J.S., West, C.M. (2001). The prediction of mental health service use in residential care. Community Mental Health Journal, 37, 313-322.

 

Goodwin, R., Lyons, J.S. (2001).  Feasibility and effectiveness of an emergency housing program as an alternative to inpatient treatment for persons with severe and persistent mental illness. Psychiatric Services,  52, 92-95.

 

Huyse, F.J., Lyons, J.S., Stiefel, F., Slaets, J., de Jonge, P., Latour, C. (2001).  Operationalizing the Biopsychosocial Model.  The INTERMED.  Psychosomatics, 42, 1-9.

 

Lyons, J.S., Baerger, D.R., Quigley, P., Erlich, J., Griffin, E. (2001). Mental health service needs of juvenile offenders:  A comparison of detention, incarceration, and treatment settings.  Children’s Services: Social Policy, Research, and Practice.

4, 69-85.

 

Waters, TM, Almagor, O, Finkel, S, Harter, K, Bartolozzi, PR, Mitzen, P, Lyons, JS, Edelman, P, Fulton, BR, Hughes, SL. (2001). Understanding costs of home and community based services.  Managed Care Quarterly, 9, 45-53.

 

Huyse, F.J., de Jonge, P., Slaets, J.P., Herzog, T., Lobo, A., Lyons, J.S., Opmeer, B.C., Stein, B., Arolt, V., Cardoso, G., Fink, P., Rigatelli, M. (2001).   Compri-an instrument to detect patients with complex care needs:  results from a European study.  Psychosomatics, 42, 222-228.

 

de Jonge, P., Huyse, F.J., Herzog, T., Lobo, A., Slaets, J.P., Lyons, J.S., Opmeer, B.C., Stein, B., Arolt, V., Cardoso, G., Fink, P., Rigatelli, M. (2001).  Risk factors for complex care in general medical inpatients:  results from a European study.  Psychosomatics, 42, 213-221.

 

De Jonge, P., Huyse, F.J., Slaets, J.P., Herzog, T., Lobo, A., Lyons, J.S., Opmeer, B.C., Stein, B., Arolt, V., Cardoso, G., Fink, P., Rigatelli, M., van Dijck, R., Mellengergh, G.J. (2001).  Care complexity in the general hospital: results from a European study.  Psychosomatics, 42, 204-212.

 

Leon, S.C., Lyons, J.S., Uziel-Miller, N.D., Rawal, P., Tracy, P., Williams, J. (2001).  Evaluating the use of psychiatric hospitalization by residential treatment.  Journal of American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 39, 1496-1501.

 

Mulder, C.L., van der Graaff P.C.A, de Jonge P., de Groot A.A., Lyons J.S. (2000).  Predicting admissions in emergency psychiatry.  European Psychiatry, 15, 313S.

 

Shin, J.Y., Lyons, J.S., Crittendon, K., Almeida, C., Sokol, P. (2000). Developmental profiles of children with developmental disabilities using the Children and Adolescent Needs and Strengths—Developmental Disabilities scale. J Intell Disabil Res, 44, 462-463.

 

de Jonge, P, Huyse, FJ, Lobo, A, Herzog, T, Slaets, JPJ, Lyons, JS, Opmeer, BC, Stein, B, Arolt, V, Balogh, N, Rigatelli, M.  (2000). Care complexity in the general hospital. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 48, 271.

 

de Jonge, P., Huyse, F.J., Ruinemans, G.M.F., Stiefel, F.C., Lyons, J.S., Slaets, J. (2000). Timing of psychiatric consultations:  The impact of social vulnerability and level of psychiatric dysfunction. Journal of the Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine, 41, 505-511.

 

Uziel-Miller, N.D., Lyons, J.S. (2000). Specialized Substance Abuse Treatment for Women and Their Children:  An Analysis of Program Design.  Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment 4, 355-367.

Lyons, J.S., Uziel-Miller, N.D., Reyes, F., Sokol, P.T. (2000).  The strengths of children and adolescents in residential settings:  Prevalence and associations with psychopathology and discharge placement.  Journal of the Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 39, 176-181.

 

Lyons, J.S., Schaefer, K. (2000). Mental health and dangerousness:  Characteristics and outcomes of children and adolescents in residential placements.  Journal of Child and Family Studies 16, 67-73.
 

Anderson, R.L., Lyons, J.S. (2001).  Needs-based Planning for Persons with Serious Mental Illness:  The Severity of Psychiatric Illness of Persons Residing in Intermediate Care Facilities. Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research.  28, 104-110.

 

Leon, S.C., Lyons, J.S., Uziel-Miller, N.D. (2000). Variations in clinical presentations of children and adolescents across eight psychiatric hospitals. Psychiatric Services 51, 786-790.

Kane, R. A., Jordan, N., & Grant, L. A. (1998). Goals for Alzheimer's care in nursing homes: what kind of differences do special care units expect to make? Journal of Health and Human Services Administration , 20, (3), 311-332.

MHSPP FACULTY

John S. Lyons, Ph.D., Director

Eugene Griffin, Ph.D., J.D., Associate Director

Zoran Martinovich, Ph.D., Assistant Director

Gary McClelland, Ph.D., Director of Data Operations

Elizabeth Durkin, Ph.D.

Neil Jordan, Ph.D.

Dana Weiner, Ph.D.

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