About Us
Who We Are
Background
A dramatic reduction in tobacco use in the general population has occurred during the past 40 years, however, there has been almost no decrease in the smoking rates among those with serious behavioral health (BH) issues. Even though BH populations consume 44% of all tobacco used in the United States, these populations have been largely excluded from the greater societal movement toward minimizing smoking.
Purpose
The purpose of Project Integrate!, formerly the Central Maine Behavioral Health Tobacco Treatment Collaborative (CMBHTTC), is to identify and address the barriers to effective tobacco treatment for people with BH diagnoses, including substance abuse diagnoses; to increase the capacity of providers to encourage and support tobacco-free living; and to advocate for state level policy changes to further support tobacco-free living for all Mainers. Project-Integrate! conducted several focus groups beginning in 2002 with BH consumers and providers, developed and tested tobacco treatment materials with and for BH populations, and piloted a system-wide approach to tobacco treatment for BH consumers with three pilot sites.
Results
Results of the project included the identification of specific challenges to successful tobacco treatment for BH populations, the development of population specific materials, a tool kit, and a system-wide approach for tobacco treatment, a statewide summit for BH leaders and providers in June 2007; and state level advocacy to support successful tobacco treatment for BH populations.
