Philadelphia's Behavioral Health System consists of three major components that work together to help consumers receive coordinated and effective mental health and drug and alcohol treatment services: the Office of Mental Health, the Office of Addiction Services, and Community Behavioral Health.

Philadelphia's Behavioral Health System currently provides services to approximately 75,000 adults and children annually out of an eligible population of more than 1.4 million city residents.

As part of its overall philosophy, Philadelphia has adopted a conceptual and coordinated framework developed by the National Institute for Mental Health, called the Community Support Program for Adults and Children, and the Adolescent Services Support System for children and adolescents and their families. This framework refers to the need for an array of services and supports in order for persons with behavioral heath illness to function in the community.

As a Community Support Program, Philadelphia has come up with a variety of approaches to help persons with mental illness and addictions live successfully in the community. This includes services such as peer-support, housing, vocational training and employment, income maintenance, medical care and rehabilitation.

The city's Behavioral Health System also embraces the concept that people who have a mental illness should be treated with dignity and respect and that consumers of behavioral health services have the same needs, rights and responsibilities as other citizens.