Florida State University in Tallahassee is building a statewide behavioral healthcare data repository to help researchers and policymakers assess mental health and substance use treatment outcomes across the state.
The Florida Behavioral Health Care Data Repository stems from the Tristin Murphy Act, which became law in 2025, according to an Oct. 21 news release from the university. The project will consolidate information from five state agencies to help identify gaps in care, track patient outcomes and evaluate how behavioral health resources are allocated.
The university’s Northwest Regional Data Center will house the repository, while the Data and Analytics team within its Information Technology Services department is creating a system to standardize data from the Department of Children and Families, Agency for Health Care Administration, Department of Juvenile Justice, Department of Corrections and Office of the State Courts Administrator.
To protect patient privacy, identifying information will be maintained in a secure environment separate from the anonymized datasets used for research. The FSU Center for Behavioral Health Integration will oversee research examining patients’ experiences and treatment outcomes over time.
FSU researchers will initially conduct the analyses and provide annual reports to the Florida Legislature. A governance structure involving participating state agencies will guide the project. Future phases may allow qualified researchers from FSU and other institutions, including the University of South Florida in Tampa, to request access to deidentified data.
At the Becker's Fall Behavioral Health Summit, taking place November 4–5 in Chicago, behavioral health leaders and executives will explore strategies for expanding access to care, integrating services, addressing workforce challenges and leveraging innovation to improve outcomes across the behavioral health continuum. Apply for complimentary registration now.
