About Adult Behavioral Health

Mental health recovery is a journey of healing and transformation enabling people with a mental health problem to live a meaningful life in a community of their choice while striving to achieve their full potential (SAMHSA statement on Recovery). 

The needs of Idaho adults with a serious mental illness (SMI) or a serious and persistent mental illness (SPMI) diagnosis are diverse and complex. The Division of Behavioral Health, acting as the state behavioral health authority, works to ensure that Idahoans receive the behavioral health care they need when they need it. This is done through programs and services, including community-based support, outpatient services, and inpatient hospitalization services available throughout the state to individuals. Adult mental health services are provided primarily through contracts with community providers. The Division's regional behavioral health center also provide court-ordered evaluation, treatment recommendation, and other necessary treatment provisions for individual sentenced under Idaho Code 19-2524, 18-211/212, 66-329, or Mental Health Health Court. During SFY 2023, 95 percent of the participants receiving services from the Division received crisis services. Those who received crisis services were successfully connected to community resources. The remaining 5 percent received ongoing mental health treatment. 

Interpreter services and language assistance are available for anyone, including those with limited English-speaking ability, the deaf and hard of hearing, and the blind and visually impaired.

The primary goal of ongoing mental health services is to promote recovery and improve the quality of life for Idaho adults with mental health diagnoses.