DHHR Launches Bureau For Behavioral Health Clearinghouse

Behavioral health has become a critical public health issue in the state — that’s according to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHR).

The agency’s Bureau for Behavioral Health (BBH) Clearinghouse is a new online database of practices for anyone seeking help to make informed decisions about selecting effective prevention, early intervention, treatment and recovery services. It is a tool to help individuals, families, providers, schools, communities and other partners. 

The Clearinghouse took approximately two years to launch and was originally commissioned to review behavioral health services for children, youth and young adults, but it accepts requests for people of all ages. 

“West Virginians deserve knowledge of and access to quality behavioral health services,” said Dawn Frohna, commissioner of DHHR’s Bureau for Behavioral Health. “The BBH Clearinghouse is a tool to save time when exploring and implementing behavioral health services proven to have positive outcomes.”

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 38 percent of West Virginia adults reported symptoms of anxiety and or depressive disorder as recently as February 2023. In 2019, 36 percent of West Virginia youth reported being sad or hopeless, while 20 percent considered suicide.

California and Washington also have similar online registries.

The BBH Clearinghouse is funded through grants from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

For more information visit https://clearinghouse.helpandhopewv.org/request-program-review/.