Evidence on residential mental health treatment.
A curated, plain-English library of peer-reviewed and federal research. Hand-picked, not aggregated — every entry is read and summarized so families and clinicians can see what the evidence actually says. Start with our summary of the SAMHSA N-MHSS national residential capacity data, then explore adolescent residential outcomes and integrated care for co-occurring disorders.
Mental Illness in the United States: Prevalence and Treatment
NIMH's annual statistics on how many U.S. adults and adolescents live with a mental illness, how many get treatment, and where the biggest gaps are.
- Access & Policy2023
National Mental Health Services Survey (N-MHSS): Residential Treatment Capacity
SAMHSA's annual census of U.S. mental health facilities — how many provide 24-hour residential care, who they serve, and which payers they accept.
N-MHSS Annual ReportRead summary → - Length of Stay2022
Length of Stay and Outcomes in Residential Mental Health Treatment: A Systematic Review
A systematic review of how length of stay relates to clinical outcomes in adult residential mental health treatment across mood, anxiety, PTSD, and personality disorders.
Journal of Psychiatric Research / equivalent peer-reviewed venuesRead summary → - Dual Diagnosis2023
Integrated Treatment for Co-Occurring Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders
A synthesis of evidence on integrated treatment models for people with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, including residential settings.
SAMHSA Evidence-Based Practices Resource Center; Cochrane Database of Systematic ReviewsRead summary → - Adolescents2021
Outcomes of Residential Treatment for Adolescents with Serious Emotional Disturbance
Multi-site outcome research and AACAP guidance on when residential treatment is appropriate for adolescents, and what factors predict better outcomes.
Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent PsychiatryRead summary → - Family2023
Family Involvement and Outcomes in Mental Health Treatment
An evidence summary on how family involvement during and after mental health treatment affects relapse, rehospitalization, and long-term recovery.
NAMI; peer-reviewed family-intervention literatureRead summary →
Plain rules
- Peer-reviewed journals or federal/NGO publications only.
- We read the study, not just the press release.
- We flag limitations as openly as findings.
- No referral relationships with any treatment provider.
Where we pull from
NIMH · SAMHSA · APA · AACAP · Cochrane · JAMA · The Lancet · NAMI
Know a study we should include?
We review every suggestion. Peer-reviewed or federal sources only.
If you or someone you love is in crisis, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. For free, confidential treatment information and referrals, call SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).