Michelle Salyers
ProfessorCo-Director, ACT Center of Indiana
Professor, Department of Psychology, IUPUI
ude[dot]iupui[at]reylaspm
Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)
The ACT Center has been working since 2001 to help mental health care providers enhance services that support people with mental illness to lead rewarding, productive lives in their own communities rather than accessing jail, homeless shelters and more costly medical care. The ACT Center includes researchers, clinicians, consultants, educators, consumers, and family members who are all dedicated to helping people recover from mental illness, and to help mental health providers use effective ways to help the recovery process. The ACT Center partners university-based researchers with mental health providers to develop training and research approaches. The ACT Center also informs policy makers about methods for funding effective services to help consumers utilize less costly services and lead productive lives. Our initial partnership with Adult&Child mental health center has grown to include Roudebush VA, Midtown Mental Health Center, Four County Counseling Center, and other mental health centers. Our research network now includes national and international partners. In addition, the ACT Center is an IUPUI designated Signature Center, recognizing the unique contribution we bring to our university and state. This translational research exemplifies taking many years of research findings and incorporating models into everyday practice to have a direct impact on people with mental illness and the communities in which they live.