Implementation of mental health practices and programs occurs within complex, multilevel systems with many factors that can impede or enhance implementation efforts. For example, clinical providers who deliver the mental health practice often face direct costs, time demands, and limited expertise that hinders implementation. Organizational factors such as resource allocation, staffing, and performance monitoring and feedback can also impact implementation. Strong and effective leadership can address these factors and result in the successful implementation and sustainment of mental health programs within and across service systems.

This two-part learning series is led by international implementation science experts Mark Ehrhart, PhD, Marisa Sklar, PhD, and Greg Aarons, PhD. This series will help leaders in behavioral health organizations and systems understand how effective and aligned leadership at multiple organizational levels and an organizational climate that emphasizes implementation directly influence successful and sustained implementation efforts.

Session 1: Leadership for Implementing Mental Health Practices

Session 2: Building and Sustaining an Implementation Climate that Supports Mental Health Practices and Programs

Each 1-hour session focuses on key leadership and organizational factors that promote the successful implementation of effective mental health practices or programs. Participants will examine how intentional leadership strategies can address common implementation barriers—such as time limitations, staffing challenges, and resource constraints—while fostering an organizational climate that supports learning, accountability, and sustainment.

Learning objectives: 

1. Distinguish general approaches to leadership and climate from those focused specifically on implementation.
2. Understand the relationship between leadership and climate in enhancing mental health practice implementation.
3. Identify specific actions that improve implementation leadership.