Military Families, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Military Families

Supporting America’s service men and women—Active Duty, National Guard, Reserve, and Veteran—together with their families and communities by leading efforts to ensure that needed behavioral health services are accessible and that outcomes are positive.

Leading Change: A Plan for SAMHSA's Roles and Actions 2011 – 2014 (PDF 778KB)

WHAT WE ARE DOING

Programs

Service Members, Veterans, and their Families Technical Assistance Center: works with states, territories, and tribes develop effective, responsive behavioral health systems for service members, veterans, and their families.
Service Members, Veterans, and their Families Policy Academy Fact Sheet (PDF - 187KB). SMVF Policy Academies are managed through the SMVF TA Center (see above).
Veterans Crisis Line: In partnership with SAMHSA's National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, the Veterans Crisis Line connects veterans in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring Department of Veterans Affairs responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text. Veterans and their loved ones can call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, chat online, or send a text message to 838255 to receive confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Jail Diversion and Trauma Recovery Program - Priority to Veterans: supports local implementation and statewide expansion of trauma-informed jail diversion programs for people with post traumatic stress (PTSD) and other trauma-related disorders states, prioritizing veterans.
National Child Traumatic Stress Network: established to improve access to care, treatment, and service for traumatized children and adolescents exposed to traumatic events. Their Military Family Resource Area and Knowledge Bank provides access to information for military family members, mental health and medical providers, educators and others on the stressors facing military families and children. It provides effective options for coping and intervention.

Data

Half of Substance Abuse Treatment Admissions among Veterans Aged 21 to 39 Involve Alcohol as the Primary Substance of Abuse (PDF - 60KB), November 8, 2012
Major Depressive Episode and Treatment for Depression among Veterans Aged 21 to 39, November 6, 2008
Serious Psychological Distress and Substance Use Disorder among Veterans, November 1, 2007

Publications & Multimedia

Behavioral Health Issues among Afghanistan and Iraq U.S. War Veterans (PDF - 623KB)
Addressing Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors in Substance Abuse Treatment - A Treatment Improvement Protocol TIP 50: provides guidelines to help substance abuse treatment counselors work with suicidal adult clients. Covers risk factors and warning signs for suicide, core counselor competencies, clinical vignettes, and information for administrators and clinical supervisors.
Video Companion to Addressing Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors in Substance Abuse Treatment (TIP 50): offers guidance to substance abuse treatment counselors working with persons with suicidal behaviors. Developed by Department of Veterans Affairs with support from SAMHSA.
SAMHSA Technical Assistance Packet for Becoming a TRICARE Credentialed Practitioner : provides valuable information for individual providers interested in applying to become a TRICARE Behavioral Health Care Provider.
Coming Home: Supporting Military Service Members, Veterans, and Their Families (Webinar): describes the challenges facing military personnel, veterans, and their families, the mental health and substance abuse support available from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and civilian health systems, and highlights the need to expand family-centered services.
SAMHSA News: Paving the Road Home - Returning Veterans and Behavioral Health: covers a conference on returning veterans and their families that addressed suicide prevention, employment, homelessness, and traumatic brain injury. Also discusses bullying, mutual support groups, and mental health services in primary care settings.

Grantee Projects

National Child Traumatic Stress Network: established to improve access to care, treatment, and service for traumatized children and adolescents exposed to traumatic events.
Military Family Resource Area and Knowledge Bank: provides access to information for military family members, mental health and medical providers, educators and others on the stressors facing military families and children. It provides effective options for coping and intervention.
Military Families Podcast Series and Webinars: a series of 20 short pod casts called the “Essentials for Those Who Care for Military Children and Families”. In addition, a Master Speaker webinar series on topics which include Community Provider collaboration and support to Military Service Member Families, U.S. Army Culture, and the Combat Operational Stress Model.

Resources

SAMHSA Technical Assistance Packet for Becoming a TRICARE Credentialed Practitioner : provides valuable information for individual providers interested in applying to become a TRICARE Behavioral Health Care Provider.