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The Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration


 
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About SAMHSA

Agency Overview

Background

Behavioral health is a component of service systems that improve health status and contain health care and other costs to society.  Yet, people with mental and substance use disorders, because of their illness, have largely been excluded from the current health care system and rely on public "safety net" programs.  Last year alone approximately 20 million people who needed substance abuse treatment did not receive it and an estimated 10.6 million adults reported an unmet need for mental health care.  As a result the health and wellness of the individual is jeopardized and the unnecessary costs to society ripple across America's communities, schools, businesses, prisons & jails, and healthcare delivery systems. 

Organizational Overview

SAMHSA’s mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities.  The Agency was established in 1992 and directed by Congress to target effectively substance abuse and mental health services to the people most in need and to translate research in these areas more effectively and more rapidly into the general health care system.  Over the years SAMHSA has demonstrated that - prevention works, treatment is effective, and people recover from mental and substance use disorders.  Behavioral health services improve health status and reduce health care and other costs to society.  Continued improvement in the delivery and financing of prevention, treatment and recovery support services provides a cost effective opportunity to advance and protect the Nation’s health. 

To accomplish its work SAMHSA administers a combination of competitive, formula, and block grant programs and data collection activities.  The Agency’s programs are carried out through:

  • The Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) which focuses on the prevention and treatment of mental disorders.
  • The Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) which seeks to prevent and reduce the abuse of illegal drugs, alcohol, and tobacco.
  • The Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) which supports the provision of effective substance abuse treatment and recovery services.
  • The Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality (CBHSQ) which has primary responsibility for the collection, analysis and dissemination of behavioral health data.

Together these units support States, Territories, Tribes, communities, and local organizations through grant and contract awards and provide national leadership in promoting the provision of quality behavioral health services.  Major activities to improve the quality and availability of prevention, treatment and recovery support services are funded through competitive Programs of Regional and National Significance grants.  A number of supporting offices complement the work of the four Centers. 

SAMHSA’s core competencies include releasing and managing block grants and special programmatic funding and providing states, providers, communities and the public with the best and most up-to-date information about behavioral health issues and prevention/treatment approaches.  Increasingly, we are expanding those competencies to focus collectively on using SAMHSA’s resources and influence to effect real and measurable differences in the lives of people and communities throughout America.

Click here to learn more about SAMHSA's Strategic Initiatives.

Last Update: 8/13/2010