Providing access to quit tobacco services for mental health clients through systems change

Although tobacco users with mental illness face documented barriers to quitting, research suggests their interest in quitting is similar to their peers in the general population. Unfortunately, tobacco users with mental illness are not being linked to services to help them quit at the same rate as their peers. One of the most cost-effective services available to help tobacco users quit is quitlines. Quitlines are free, telephone-based quit tobacco programs available throughout the United States and many other countries as well. Early, but promising, evidence suggests that quitline services tailored to smokers with mental illness can be effective.

The Arizona Department of Health Services Division of Behavioral Health Services and Bureau of Tobacco and Chronic Disease have partnered with Arizona Smokers' Helpline referral development team to increase the number of Arizonans with mental illness who utilize quitline services. This has largely occurred by obtaining the endorsement of administrators and medical directors in key behavioral health agencies and clinics, training mental health providers how to employ the “Ask - Advise - Refer” model, integrating referrals into their electronic health records systems, hiring licensed therapists to provide coaching and hiring a pharmacist to consult on complicated medication issues with medical providers and clients. In the past year there was a substantial increase in the number of referrals to ASHLine from mental health providers.