Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
SAMHSA Strategic initiatives help people with mental and substance use disorders, support the families of people with mental and substance use disorders, build strong and supportive communities, prevent costly behavioral health problems, and promote better health for all Americans. The site provides information on health reform, tools, research, data, and community support related to issues of mental health and substance abuse.
Report reveals the scope of substance use and mental illness affecting the nation
A new report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides insight into the nature and scope of substance use and mental illness issues affecting America. The report shows that 24.6 million Americans aged 12 or older were current (past month) illicit drug users – 9.4 percent of this age group. Marijuana was by far the most commonly used illicit drug, with nonmedical use of prescription pain relievers as a close second. The SAMHSA report also shows that 34.6 million adults aged 18 or older (14.6 percent of the population aged 18 or older) received mental health…
SAMHSA releases Behavioral Health, U.S., 2012 report
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) just released a report entitled Behavioral Health, United States, 2012 — the latest in a series of publications (formerly known as Mental Health, United States) issued biennially by SAMHSA since 1980. This report features mental health and substance abuse statistics at the national and state levels from 40 different data sources. The report includes three key chapters: Behavioral Health Disorders across the Life Span Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders: Impairment in Functioning Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders: Treatment Landscape Click on image to read the full report
Supporting Prevention Under Health Reform
The National Prevention Strategy identifies four Strategic Directions. Healthy & Safe Environments Clinical and Community Preventive Services Empowered People Elimination of Health Disparities These Strategic Directions are the foundation for all prevention efforts and form the basis for a prevention-oriented society. Each Strategic Direction can stand alone and can guide actions that will demonstrably improve health. Together, the Strategic Directions create the web needed to fully support Americans in leading longer and healthier lives. Additionally the National Prevention Strategy has identifed seven priority issues: Tobacco Free Living Preventing Drug Abuse and Excessive Alcohol Use Healthy Eating Active Living Injury and…
MHA Lauches Campaign to Reduce Stigma
Help support MHA of Central Carolinas as they encourage community members to talk about mental illness, and break stigma one conversation at a time. Visit their website for information and take the pledge to break stigma.
Connection Between Adolescent Substance Use and the Risk for Dropout
Experts at the Institute for Behavior and Health, Inc. (IBH) and the Center on Young Adult Health and Development (CYAHD) at the University of Maryland School of Public Health investigated the connection between adolescent substance use and the risk for dropout in the U.S. There is compelling evidence that the association of academic difficulties and substance use is bidirectional. In some individuals, academic difficulties precede the onset of substance use, and in those cases, a vicious cycle can ensue—leading to even more severe academic difficulties and eventual dropout. In other cases, even controlling for individual background characteristics, substance use precedes…
September is Recovery Month 2013
Recovery Month promotes the societal benefits of prevention, treatment, and recovery for mental and substance use disorders, celebrates people in recovery, lauds the contributions of treatment and service providers, and promotes the message that recovery in all its forms is possible. Recovery Month spreads the positive message that behavioral health is essential to overall health, that prevention works, treatment is effective and people can and do recover. There’s still time to plan and register events in your area!
Breaking Stigma One Conversation at a Time
The Mental Health Association launches a campaign to encourage open dialogue about mental health and reduce stigma. You can join the initiative by taking the pledge to break stigma one conversation at a time.
CrimeSolutions.gov Offers Research on Program Effectiveness
The Office of Justice Programs’ CrimeSolutions.gov uses rigorous research to determine what works in criminal justice, juvenile justice, and crime victim services. This website offers: Research on program effectiveness reviewed and rated by Expert Reviewers Easily understandable ratings based on the evidence that indicates whether a program achieves its goals Effective Promising No Effects Substance abuse prevention and education programs aim to prevent individuals, particularly juveniles, from the harmful physical, social, and psychological consequences of drug and alcohol use or abuse. These programs, which may be implemented in communities, schools, faith-based settings, or the home, often seek to educate young…