A New Era in Schizophrenia Care: National Council for Mental Wellbeing and Bristol Myers Squibb Collaborate to Advance Evidence-Based Care Models

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WASHINGTON, D.C. / ACCESS Newswire / March 27, 2026 / Originally published by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing The National Council for Mental Wellbeing and Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) (NYSE:BMY) today announced a new collaboration to bridge critical gaps in schizophrenia care. The joint initiative is launching with the publication of a white paper addressing the value of peer support workers as a critical component in delivering better outcomes for people living with schizophrenia. The National Council and BMS are collaborating to advance evidence-based approaches, strengthen care team integration and expand access to recovery-oriented services in community-based settings. The white paper, which features insights from Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs), is the collaboration's first step toward these goals. "Gaps in care coordination, access and ongoing support remain significant and deeply felt across communities," National Council President and CEO Chuck Ingoglia said. "This collaboration with BMS will further advance meaningful solutions, accelerate wide‑scale innovation and demonstrate the value of effective collaboration between industry and community partners in effecting change." The white paper, Advancing Person‑Centered Care: Peer Support in Schizophrenia Care in Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics , explores the positive impact peer support services have had on schizophrenia care in the U.S. These individuals, who have experienced mental health or substance use challenges, can build trust, promote hope and help individuals engage with treatment and community resources. One in five adults experiences mental illness each year, yet fewer than half receive the care they need. Peer support workers are essential to bridging this gap. Drawing on peer-reviewed research and insights from community behavioral health leaders who have successfully implemented programs, the paper reviews the peer support landscape, analyzes current implementation, identifies challenges and offers practical recommendations. It highlights case studies from CCBHCs showing that clearly defining the peer support worker's role, embedding peers early in care, providing structured supervision and investing in training and career pathways can significantly improve service utilization. The paper also delivers recommendations for health care leaders and policymakers to expand program funding, streamline referral pathways and strengthen reimbursement policy to provide sustainable, scalable peer support services nationwide. The collaboration has also launched the design of two pilot programs. The first puts the white paper's recommendations into action to expand and strengthen peer support services. The second investigates opportunities to use predictive analytics models to enhance continuity of care for people living with schizophrenia. Both pilots are expected to share initial updates in early 2027. Peer support and predictive analytics will also be focal points at NatCon , the annual conference for National Council members, partners and people throughout the behavioral health field. A breakout session, "Trust, Connection, and Continuity: The Opportunity of Peer Support in Care for People with SMI [Serious Mental Illness]," is scheduled for Monday, April 27. Check out the sessions in our peer support track for more details. About Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) connect people with immediate crisis care as well as therapy, treatment, primary care and social services. CCBHCs are designed to ensure that anyone can quickly access mental health and substance care whenever and however they need it, regardless of their ability to pay. About Bristol Myers Squibb Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com and follow us on LinkedIn , X , YouTube , Facebook , and Instagram . About the National Council for Mental Wellbeing Founded in 1969, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing is a membership organization that drives policy and social change on behalf of over 3,200 mental health and substance use treatment organizations and the more than 15 million children, adults and families they serve. We advocate for policies to ensure access to high-quality services. We build the capacity of mental health and substance use treatment organizations. And we promote greater understanding of mental wellbeing as a core component of comprehensive health and health care. Through our Mental Health First Aid program, we have trained more than 4.5 million people in the U.S. to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges. Media Contact Sophia Majlessi [email protected] 202-621-1631 Find more stories and multimedia from Bristol-Myers Squibb Company at 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/bristol-myers-squibb-company Email: [email protected] SOURCE: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

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