News and Features

SAMHSA has sponsored the development of a Website to help States and community-based agencies put into practice two practical measures of program-level capacity to address co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders.

Navajo Regional Behavioral Health Center is serving as demonstration site for integrated co-occurring disorders treatment in Indian Country. Learn more about their Co-Occurring Healing Center.

South Dakota has made considerable progress in improving services for people with co-occurring mental and substance use disorders. The state has recruited more than 150 change agents to guide and sustain its statewide efforts.

Alaska is a national leader in universal screening and the collection of client data to facilitate effective treatment and track treatment outcomes for people with co-occurring mental and substance use disorders.

Learn how Connecticut has paved the way for states interested in setting co-occurring program guidelines for mental health and substance abuse treatment programs.

In 2009, the Institute of Medicine's Committee on the Prevention of Mental Disorders and Substance Abuse Among Children, Youth and Young Adults released "Preventing Mental, Emotional and Behavioral Disorders Among Young People: Progress and Possibilities." This report captures the wealth of research conducted over the past 15 years on preventing mental, emotional and behavioral (MEB) disorders.

SAMHSA has identified eight strategic initiatives to focus its work, improve lives, and capitalize on emerging opportunities. These initiatives align with the Affordable Care Act and Parity. Leading Change: A Plan for SAMHSA's Roles and Actions 2011-2014 describes the detailed plan and goals for each initiative.

SAMHSA is committed to closing the gap that persists between research and practice. To achieve this, SAMHSA has developed a series of KITs to helps states, communities, and organizations interested in moving best practices into the field.

Data shows at least 800,000 people with serious mental illness are admitted annually to jails in the United States.

SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) is a federally-funded technical assistance program designed to improve access to Social Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for people who are homeless with disabling conditions such as co-occurring disorders.