Objective: The study examined change in availability of assertive community treatment (ACT) and associated services over time.
Methods: Change over time in the availability of facilities in the United States offering ACT and its associated services was examined by using 2010 and 2016 data from the National Mental Health Services Survey.
Results: The proportion of facilities that self-reported provision of ACT and its associated services declined between 2010 and 2016 (odds ratio [OR]=0.73, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.63-0.86, p<0.001). Although a higher proportion of facilities that provided ACT reported offering all the required services in 2016 (OR=1.31, 95% CI=1.04-1.66, p=0.026) compared with 2010, this proportion accounted for less than 20% of the programs. Compared with 2010, in 2016 increases were observed in peer (OR=1.72, 95% CI=1.38-2.13, p<0.001) and co-occurring disorders services (OR=1.23, 95% CI=1.08-1.42, p=0.004) as well as in secondary services, such as tobacco cessation (OR=4.53, 95% CI=3.51-5.84, p<0.001) and telemedicine (OR=2.08, 95% CI=1.67-2.57, p<0.001). Continuous education for staff was required at more facilities with ACT in 2016 compared with 2010.
Conclusions: Although the proportion of facilities with ACT that offer all the required core services has increased in recent years, such programs remain a minority, and the overall number of facilities with ACT has declined.
Keywords: Assertive community treatment; Mental Health Services; Public health; Serious Mental Illness.