Multidisciplinary Strategies for Preventing Opioid Misuse and Escalation by Targeting Mental Health Symptoms and Conditions

We aim to review the association between childhood-onset mental health conditions and increased risk for early substance use including opioid misuse and opioid use disorders (OUD). The association between mental health conditions and opioid misuse suggests youth with mental health conditions may benefit from opioid prevention efforts that concurrently address mental health. To aid in the identification of youth with mental health conditions who could benefit from interventions, we will review opportunities and challenges associated with screening for mental health symptoms or substance use in settings where youth at high risk for mental health conditions present. We will also review how research projects within the National Institutes of Health's Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) Prevention Cooperative are addressing mental health within opioid misuse and OUD prevention interventions for youth.

Automated summary

We aim to review the association between childhood-onset mental health conditions and early substance use, specifically opioid misuse and opioid use disorders (OUD). The findings suggest that youth with mental health conditions may benefit from prevention efforts that address both mental health and opioid misuse. We will also discuss the challenges and opportunities of using mental health screening or substance use screening in high-risk settings. Additionally, we will review how the National Institutes of Health's Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) Prevention Cooperative is incorporating mental health in its interventions for youth regarding opioid misuse and OUD prevention.