Leadership and Training in Mental Health

The leadership function within mental health organizations continues to demand that professionals must understand and deal with current multidimensional problems in the managed behavioral health care industry. Furthermore, the responsibility for preparing these professionals rests within universities to better educate these leaders in public health issues and in basic health and mental health administration. In addition, the responsibility also rests with professional societies to better equip leaders within mental health organizations for the diverse challenges that lie ahead in a changing managed behavioral health care environment. This chapter will examine leadership issues in mental health, discussing the obstacles and challenges that leaders face in mental health organizations. The chapter will also discuss the importance of curriculum changes in the preparation of mental health professionals, as well as emphasize the critical nature of continuing education in the development of leadership within mental health organizations