In order to achieve its mission, SAMHSA has identified five priority areas to better meet the behavioral health care needs of individuals, communities, and service providers. The five priority areas are:
- Combating the Opioid Crisis through the Expansion of Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Support Services.
- Addressing Serious Mental Illness and Serious Emotional Disturbances.
- Advancing Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Support Services for Substance Use.
- Improving Data Collection, Analysis, Dissemination, and Program and Policy Evaluation.
- Strengthening Health Practitioner Training and Education.
SAMHSA’s work is guided by five core principles that are being infused throughout the Agency’s activities. The five core principles are:
- Supporting the adoption of evidence-based practices.
- Increasing access to the full continuum of services for mental and substance use disorders.
- Engaging in outreach to clinicians, grantees, patients, and the American public.
- Collecting, analyzing, and disseminating data to inform policies, programs, and practices.
- Recognizing that the availability of mental health and substance use disorder services are integral to everyone’s health.
Read the full Strategic Plan (PDF | 567 KB), including measurable goals and objectives.