Approved: New behavioral health care standards for prevention and wellness promotion services.

regarding prevention and wellness promotion services for the behavioral health care accreditation program. These new standards become effective January 1, 2013. It is important to note that the new standards address only those prevention and wellness promotion services that are community-based, such as depression screening, suicide prevention, and substance abuse prevention. Prevention and wellness promotion services provided to an individual served through his or her plan for care, treatment, or services are not subject to these standards. These new standards apply to those organizations that provide prevention and wellness promotion services. An organization considering offering these services could also use the standards to guide development of a community-based service. The new standards do not mandate that all organizations must now provide these services. Key aspects and expectations of these standards require the following actions from the organization: