Official websites use .gov

A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( 🔒 ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Need Help

Empowering EMPATH Units: Training for Intergrated Mental Health and Opioid Disorder Management

Award Number: R61DA065218
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 03/15/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 02/28/2028

Group Awards By:

View Award Description

Empowering EMPATH Units: Training for Intergrated Mental Health and Opioid Disorder Management - PROJECT ABSTRACT Emergency departments (EDs) face significant challenges managing mental health crises, often lacking specialized resources and leading to inappropriate placements and insufficient follow-up care. Emergency Psychiatric Assessment, Treatment, and Healing (EmPATH) units are designed to specially address these issues. However, a significant proportion of individuals experiencing mental health crises also have co-occurring substance use disorders, particularly opioid use disorder (OUD). Buprenorphine has been shown to reduce all-cause mortality. Furthermore, emergency department-initiated buprenorphine (EDIB) has demonstrated a doubling of 30-day treatment retention compared to referral alone. This significant success makes integrating EDIB into the EmPATH unit model a logical and potentially transformative step toward improved patient outcomes. However, adequately addressing workforce training needs is crucial for the successful implementation and sustained improvement of patient care. This project will develop and implement a training curriculum for EmPATH personnel focused on the acute management of OUD, emphasizing initiation of medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) with buprenorphine. A phased approach will involve stakeholder input, protocol refinement, and rigorous evaluation. Phase 1 (R-61) will focus on curriculum development, incorporating input from an external advisory board, piloting the intervention in one EmPATH unit, and gathering qualitative feedback to refine the protocol. Phase 2 (R-33) will utilize a stepped-wedge design to: 1) assess the number of individuals identified with OUD while in EmPATH units (Primary Outcome) and the number of individuals administered buprenorphine and/or given a prescription for buprenorphine (Secondary Outcome); and 2) assess EmPATH staff satisfaction, burnout, confidence, knowledge, and stigma when working with patients with opioid use disorder prior to implementation and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-implementation/training. This study aims to create a replicable and scalable model for integrating state-of-the-art OUD management into psychiatric emergency settings, improving patient outcomes and workforce preparedness. The collaboration with the South Carolina Hospital Association, Department of Mental Health, and DAODAS strengthens the project's impact and sustainability.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $453,000 )
2026	2026	THE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA	179 ASHLEY AVE	CHARLESTON	SC	29425	CHARLESTON	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	000	1	3/3/2026	NEW	$453,000
														Subtotal = $453,000

Grand Total All Awards = $453,000

Top

All Categories

About

Search

Reports

Data Submission

Award Information

Empowering EMPATH Units: Training for Intergrated Mental Health and Opioid Disorder Management

Award Number: R61DA065218

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 03/15/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 02/28/2028

Federal Websites

Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Operating Divisions

HHS Staff Divisions

Download A Document Viewer