As SAMHSA continues its efforts to improve the behavioral health of children, adults, families, communities, tribes, territories, and states across the country, we have been working diligently to fill a number of key leadership and management roles. Today, I share some important personnel announcements: First, Rear Admiral Peter Delany has been requested to serve on […]

This summer, moviegoers of all ages were treated to films and television shows that talked openly and honestly about mental health. In “Love & Mercy,” John Cusack gave an honest and engaging performance as Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys, which included Wilson’s schizoaffective disorder and his ongoing recovery with the help of his wife […]

When young children go to child care or preschool they should be in a nurturing and stimulating environment where they can play, learn and have fun. That’s why SAMHSA, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) have partnered to establish a National Center of Excellence for Infant […]

A Note from Robert Lubran, MS, MPA, Director, Division of Pharmacologic Therapies, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, SAMHSA Unfortunately, the blog below, written last year by SAMHSA’s former Chief Medical Officer, remains timely. Another rash of fentanyl-related overdoses have occurred; this time in the Chicago area. In the past several days there have been more […]

Access to affordable, quality health care without discrimination or bias should be the expectation, not the exception, in mental health treatment. According to SAMHSA’s 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 43.6 million people had a mental illness in the past year. But fewer than half received treatment. That’s one in five Americans […]

This week, Sylvia M. Burwell, Secretary of Health and Human Services, announced an initiative that will fund 39 national and regional health care networks and supporting organizations to help equip more than 140,000 clinicians with the tools and support needed to improve quality of care, increase patients’ access to information, and reduce costs. The Centers […]

Suicide claims approximately 800,000 lives across the world each year.  In the United States, more than twice as many people die by suicide than homicide, and more people die by suicide than from automobile accidents.  We should not accept these lives lost to suicide as irreversible facts. Suicide is a heartbreaking, serious and preventable public […]

Suicide claims approximately 800,000 lives across the world each year.  In the United States, more than twice as many people die by suicide than homicide, and more people die by suicide than from automobile accidents.  We should not accept these lives lost to suicide as irreversible facts. Suicide is a heartbreaking, serious and preventable public […]

In one week, the U.S. health care system will start using the ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision). This is a huge moment because ICD-10 will help doctors and other health care providers better: Define patients’ clinical status and treat their complex medical conditions. Coordinate care among providers. Support new payment methods that drive […]

Once again, communities and individuals across the country are joining together in September to observe and celebrate SAMHSA’s National Recovery Month (Recovery Month). For the past 26 years, Recovery Month has celebrated the journey and achievements of the millions of Americans who are in recovery from mental and substance use disorders. Communities across the country […]