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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
Events
In celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, the AANHPI ‘Ohana Center of Excellence, funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), is hosting their debut virtual event to introduce their online accessible hub of resources to improve behavioral health among AANHPI communities.
Presenters will share their approach to AANHPI behavioral health that centers community health, culturally responsive care, and language accessibility within a framework that is strength-based and provides curated resources to educate, support and empower. You will learn how to improve behavioral health seeking behaviors among AANHPI communities as well as learn why cultural and language responsiveness among behavioral health care providers is so important.
Who should attend: AANHPI community-based organizations, Behavioral health providers, professionals, and enthusiasts, AANHPI individuals or community leaders, Cultural practitioners, Community members interested in learning more about AANHPI communities.
The African American Behavioral Health Center of Excellence and the LGBTQ+ Behavioral Health Equity Center of Excellence are providing a webinar designed to enhance the education and information related to the mental health of African American LGBTQ+ men, particularly their mental health and service needs. The presenter will discuss how to address both. This webinar will provide a knowledge-based approach to providers offering mental health care and services for African American LGBTQ+ men, and how to better serve their needs.