A few weeks ago, SAMHSA launched a major health reform education effort with the announcement of awards for health reform education to eight peer or recovery community organizations.  In the coming months SAMHSA will continue to use the blog as a launching point for health reform updates and health insurance enrollment activities, such as the launch of SAMHSA’s new health insurance enrollment webpage, where individuals can go to find information to enroll in health insurance or States and providers can find helpful planning resources and see enrollment activities from across …

Over the past year SAMHSA has changed the way it administered the State Mental Health (MHBG) and Substance Abuse Block Grants (SABG).  Beginning early last year, SAMHSA leadership started to look at the current and anticipated changes in the health care field, taking into consideration the changing roles of States, providers and consumers.  This information provides a better picture of how state behavioral health agencies are actively engaged, planning, and able to use available resources.  Initially, SAMHSA requested that States complete an addendum to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 Block …

Guest Post:  Donald M. Berwick, M.D., Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator
On May 3, I had the welcome opportunity to speak to the 3,000 people attending the annual meeting of the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare. They represent organizations that offer services in communities all over our nation for people with serious mental illnesses, behavioral health problems, and substance abuse. The visit reminded me both of how significant behavioral health problems are in our health care world and to our beneficiaries, and also how important …

Guest post by
David Shern, Ph.D., President and CEO
Mental Health America
May is Mental Health Month, a tradition that Mental Health America began over 50 years ago to raise awareness about mental health conditions and the importance of mental wellness for all.
Mental health is integral to our overall health and a major factor in all aspects of our lives. We see it play out in our relationships, in our performance at work or in school, and in our general health. We all live with daily threats to …