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II. Mission

SAMHSA’s mission is to build resilience and facilitate recovery for people with or at risk for substance abuse and mental illness. SAMHSA was established as a services agency in 1992, though its predecessors have existed within the Public Health Service since 1930. The Agency administers competitive and block/formula grant programs; and data collection, evaluation, and technical assistance activities. Programs are carried out by the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS); the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP); the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT); and the Office of Applied Studies (OAS). The proposed FY 2006 budget is $3.336 billion; 558 employees carry out the agency’s programs.

Mental illnesses rank first among illnesses that cause disability in the United States, Canada, and Western Europe (World Health Organization, 2001). Nearly two-thirds of all people with diagnosable mental disorders do not seek treatment (Regier et al., 1993; Kessler et al., 1996; as cited in Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General, 1999). In the substance abuse arena, 2003 estimates from SAMHSA’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health show that 21.6 million Americans are living with substance dependence or abuse; 91.5% of those needing treatment for substance abuse reported that they did not receive services in a specialty facility. SAMHSA’s resources and programs are designed to promote service capacity expansion and service and infrastructure improvements to address these prevention and treatment gaps.

SAMHSA provides direct support to State and local service systems and funds activities to implement practice improvements through grant and contract activities. SAMHSA provides additional support through federal leadership and policy direction. The Agency’s vision and mission is being achieved by increasing the availability of effective services, by ensuring that national policies promote access to needed services, and by ensuring accountability for outcomes.

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