Improving care for patients with opioid use disorder and mental health issues

The Whole Health Study: Collaborative Care for OUD and Mental Health Conditions

NIH-funded research University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11092954

This study is looking at new ways for doctors and mental health professionals to work together to help people who are dealing with opioid use disorder and mental health issues like depression or anxiety, to see which approach works best for improving their overall well-being.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Pennsylvania NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Philadelphia, United States)
Project IDNIH-11092954 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing and testing a collaborative care model for individuals suffering from opioid use disorder (OUD) alongside mental health conditions such as major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, or anxiety disorders. The approach involves primary care providers working closely with mental health care managers and possibly social workers to provide comprehensive support. The study will evaluate different care models to determine which is most effective in improving patient outcomes and will also assess the cost-effectiveness of these models. By refining these collaborative strategies, the research aims to enhance the management of OUD in various healthcare settings.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with opioid use disorder who also experience major depression, PTSD, or anxiety disorders.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have opioid use disorder or any of the specified mental health conditions may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatment options for patients with opioid use disorder and co-occurring mental health conditions.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in collaborative care models for managing mental health conditions, suggesting that this approach could be effective for opioid use disorder as well.

Where this research is happening

Philadelphia, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Anxiety Disorders
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.