Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Admin

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) tasked with reducing the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities. SAMHSA leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation by providing leadership, resources, data, and funding to support prevention, treatment, and recovery services. The agency focuses on improving access to high-quality behavioral health services, promoting evidence-based practices, supporting workforce development, and addressing population-specific needs including those of veterans, youth, racial and ethnic minorities, and rural communities. SAMHSA administers a broad portfolio of grant programs, technical assistance, training, policy guidance, and data collection initiatives to strengthen state, tribal, local, and territorial behavioral health systems. Its grant programs fund community-based prevention, early intervention, treatment, and recovery support services across a wide range of topics including opioid misuse, serious mental illness, co-occurring disorders, crisis services (including mobile crisis teams and crisis stabilization), and programs addressing overdose prevention and medication-assisted treatment. SAMHSA also produces research, toolkits, and best-practice guidelines to inform service delivery and policy. The agency maintains national hotlines, a behavioral health treatment services locator, and collaborates with federal, state, and community partners to improve outcomes and reduce stigma associated with substance use and mental health conditions.