“May you live in interesting times.” The reference is either a curse or uttered with dry wit. But it seems this ancient proverb remains a contemporary truth.

Difficult times persist. The political arena is unsettling. The economic environment is unstable. And the nation’s healthcare situation is uncertain. With all the advances in science, technology, and medicine, society should be better equipped to solve the many issues that plague us. Yet, we still struggle. Perhaps that is the human condition.

NATSAP members, better than most, understand this dilemma. Frequently, the Association is asked about its engagement in the mental and behavioral health community. Explaining the diagnoses and treatments, touting the credentialling, lauding the experts, and demonstrating the positive outcomes is a never-ending mission to which the professional home of therapeutic schools and programs is committed.

For more than 25 years NATSAP has been guiding the way, helping a broad range of people, and their families, friends, and colleagues, as a trusted resource. Through erroneous, often hurtful negative publicity, NATSAP members have been persecuted and prosecuted. Acuity rates are higher and more severe. Direct and distinct conditions are increasing. Demand for treatment and cures are incessant. But little investment is dedicated to providing the systemic changes necessary to achieve results. Still, our members endure.

While those in the field see the results, only recently has NATSAP released a new tool to provide facts about the work. At January’s Annual Meeting, the Association released the “Evaluation Report: A Summary of Client Outcomes 2017-2023.” The findings were gathered from more than 50 programs and schools that have collected and contributed data measuring the mental, behavioral, and relationship health of participants, students, and clients. This robust project will help advocates reach decision-makers and educate leaders on the positive, evidence-based outcomes.

The Association, like the field itself, continues to evolve, adapting to meet the needs of the community and promoting the extraordinary impact of therapeutic schools and programs. The trajectory for the coming year is slated with stronger, themed conferences, state and federal advocacy, more data-driven research, and a pro-active campaign to highlight the incredible work of residential treatment centers, wilderness therapy, therapeutic boarding schools, psychiatric hospitals, young adult treatment, and other accredited programs and schools. It is an exciting time for NATSAP, and the leadership is eager to grow the Association, making an indelible mark for positive intervention and care.

To read the Evaluation Report, visit https://natsap.org/natsap-outcomes-evaluation-report/