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About the Office of Behavioral Health Equity (OBHE)
Summary
The Office of Behavioral Health Equity coordinates SAMHSA’s efforts to reduce disparities in mental and/or substance use disorders across populations. OBHE was established in accordance with Section 10334(b) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010.
Key Executive Actions
- Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government
- Memorandum Condemning and Combating Racism, Xenophobia, and Intolerance Against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States
- Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation
- Improving Access to Services for People with Limited English Proficiency
Mission
Mission
OBHE’s mission is to advance equity in behavioral health care by tailoring public health and service delivery efforts that promote mental health, prevent substance misuse, provide treatments, and facilitate supports to foster recovery for racial, ethnic and sexual, gender minority populations and communities.
Vision
Vision
OBHE envisions that people from racial and ethnic minorities, sexual, and gender minority populations with or at-risk for mental health and substance use conditions receive quality care, thrive, and achieve well-being.
Guiding Principles
Guiding Principles
OBHE's work is guided by three key principles:
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Centering at the margins, using a Person-Centered Approach
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Data-informed
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Community driven. Elevating community voice and preference
Guiding Principles
Upcoming Events
Time: 12 - 1:30 p.m. ET
The Hispanic/Latino Behavioral Health Center of Excellence (CoE) will be hosting a webinar that identifies barriers that currently exist that may interfere with Latinas being promoted to leadership roles. This panel offers an opportunity to share lived experiences of Latinas in leadership roles in the behavioral health field while expanding on how culture has influenced their leadership styles. Panelists will discuss how to navigate these barriers through narratives of lived experiences. Simultaneous Spanish language interpretation will be available.
Time: 1 - 2 p.m. ET
The Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Behavioral Health CoE (‘Ohana CoE) will be hosting a webinar to understand problem gambling. The neuroscience reveals addictive pathways similar to substance use disorders. Treatment options include behavioral therapy, cognitive interventions, and pharmacological approaches tailored to subtypes like behaviorally conditioned and emotionally vulnerable. In addition, resources like helplines, state-funded programs and support groups offer support to families and individuals who may be struggling with gambling.
Time: 1 - 2 p.m. ET
The African American Behavioral Health CoE will be hosting a webinar that will provide evidence-based research findings and rich discussion to raise awareness about SUD and HIV as this impacts the African American population. We will discuss and identify available action steps, resources, and community assets available to populations dealing with SUD and HIV.
Time: 2 - 3:30 p.m. ET
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ+) CoE will be hosting a webinar that will address the importance of supportive and protective environments for building trans health equity. This session will cover (1) recent research on support (or the lack thereof) and trans health in the domains of the family, education, healthcare, and state-level policy, (2) provide application of the reviewed research for policy and practice, and (3) discuss the need for multifaceted and multilevel interventions aimed at creating supportive and protective environments for advancing trans health equity.
Time: 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. ET
The African American Behavioral Health CoE will be hosting an evidence based practice webinar dedicated to exploring the principles of community-based behavioral health services tailored to discuss the behavioral health needs of African American individuals involved in the criminal justice system. This webinar aims to shed light on the unique challenges faced by African American communities, particularly those entangled in the criminal justice system and to discuss comprehensive and culturally sensitive approaches to support their mental health and wellbeing.
Elevate Community-Based Organizations (ECBOs) Webinar series now available. SAMHSA OBHE is offering a four-part series this spring, “Data Storytelling: How CBOs Can Share Their Impact”.
The next two events are below:
- Beyond the Numbers and Visuals: Building Your CBO Data-Driven Digital Marketing Strategy — Thursday, April 25, 2024 at 2 - 3:30 p.m. ET
- From Impact to Investment: Leveraging Your CBO’s Story for Funding, Impact, & Internal Growth — Thursday, May 23, 2024 at 2 - 3:30 p.m. ET
Learn more about the ECBOs.
Learn more about the National Network to Eliminate Disparities (NNED) in Behavioral Health.
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To receive updates from the SAMHSA OBHE visit: SAMHSA Email Updates and select “Office of Behavioral Health Equity”.