Evidence-Based Practices in Mental Health Care

As the first attempt to synthesize the movement toward widespread implementation of evidence-based mental health practices, this collection articulates the basic tenets of evidence-based medicine and shows how practices proven effective by clinical services research could improve the lives of many people. Intended to stimulate public discussion, these contributions cover both general issues (what do we know about implementing practices in routine mental health settings and the policy implications of the movement?) and specific practices (what do we know about practices where substantial evidence exists and the range of practices for particular populations? how do practices develop an evidence base?). Debate in public forums is critical to explaining the benefits of evidence-based care and allaying the fears of patients, practitioners, administrators, policy makers and vested interest groups that evidence-based care excludes them from the decision-making process.