Behavioral Health in Massachusetts

CHIA has produced its latest dashboard of metrics to monitor the state of behavioral health care in the Commonwealth

Behavioral health encompasses services and treatment for both mental health (MH) and substance use disorders (SUD), an array of vital services that can meaningfully shape patient outcomes. Measuring and tracking indicators of behavioral health care provides an essential fact base that enables data-driven policymaking and delivery system reforms.

As demonstrated by metrics from this year’s dashboard, while some behavioral health service metrics improved, difficulties and disparities accessing care highlight persistent gaps in the Massachusetts behavioral health system.

In 2022, Massachusetts enacted the Mental Health ABC Act: Addressing Barriers to Care. The law includes a number of policies and investments aimed at improving access to behavioral health services, and charges CHIA with monitoring “costs, cost trends, price, quality, utilization, and patient outcomes related to behavioral health service subcategories…including mental health, substance use disorder, outpatient, inpatient, services for children, services for adults, and provider type.”

CHIA’s Behavioral Health Dashboard provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of behavioral health care in Massachusetts, alongside metrics for ongoing comparison.

The interactive Tableau workbook is also available and includes additional data stratifications for exploration.

Updated June 17, 2025