Office of Behavioral Health Equity

The mission of the Office of Behavioral Health Equity (OBHE) is to improve access to quality services and outcomes for underserved communities. The vision is for all populations to thrive, achieve well-being and contribute to healthier communities.

The OBHE:

• Develops and promotes behavioral health policy initiatives that strengthen the impact of SAMHSA programs for all, especially, for underserved populations
• Uses quantitative/qualitative data to identify gaps that impede access to behavioral health services for underserved populations
• Builds the capacity of the behavioral health workforce to improve outreach, engagement, access, and culturally responsive prevention and care
• Addresses the social determinants of health (SDOH) – the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age that influence health outcomes
• Provides customer service, training, and technical assistance to advance the behavioral health of underserved populations

The OBHE's work is guided by three key principles:

• Centering at the Margins
  Shifts the dynamics of how policy is made and who it works for by focusing on people and communities at the margins, not at the mean
• Using Data
  Helps identify inequities and opportunities for strategic actions, set goals and objectives, and measure change to improve outcomes for underserved communities
• Highlighting Community Voice
  Ensures the design of policies and solutions to behavioral health issues that are reflective of the cultures, needs and preferences of the community

Contact Information

Office of Behavioral Health Equity (OBHE)
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20857

Staff

Office of the Director

Rachele C. Espiritu Ph.D., Director