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Articles Archive for October 2010

Public Awareness and Support, SAMHSA »

[ 29 Oct 2010 | 7 Comments ]
Thousands Comment on SAMHSA’s Plan on Leading Change

By Administrator Pamela S. Hyde, J.D.
Now that the comment period has closed for Leading Change: A Plan for SAMHSA’s Roles and Actions 2011 – 2014, SAMHSA is reviewing the feedback received and developing a final version of this plan.  Nearly 3000 people participated in  SAMHSA’s web-based Strategic Initiatives Forum, submitting almost 2500 ideas and comments and casting more than 23,000 votes.  In addition SAMHSA staff, Federal partners, stakeholder groups, and National Advisory Council members provided written feedback.  This level of participation and comment is gratifying and underscores the importance of SAMHSA’s …

Health Reform »

[ 22 Oct 2010 | 3 Comments ]
SAMHSA works with Health and Human Services Department partners to reduce the impact of multiple chronic conditions

Approximately 75 million Americans have multiple concurrent chronic conditions (MCCs) such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension as well as addictions and mental health problems.  MCCs result in increased risk for mortality, poor functional status, unnecessary hospitalizations, adverse drug events, duplicative tests, and conflicting medical advice.  Approximately 2/3 of total health care spending is directed toward care of the 27% of Americans with MCCs.  Further, individuals with MCCs experience increased out-of-pocket costs including higher costs for prescription drugs and other co-payments.  People with behavioral health problems face exceeding high rates …

Military Families, Public Awareness and Support »

[ 15 Oct 2010 | 2 Comments ]
SAMHSA Honors Movie, Television, and Other Media Depictions of Behavioral Health Issues at Star-Studded Voice Awards

Wednesday night, SAMHSA honored writers and producers of hit film and television productions for increasing awareness of mental health and substance use issues at the 2010 Voice Awards at the Paramount Studios in Los Angeles. Emmy Award-winning actor Hector Elizondo and Academy Award winning actor Louis Gossett Jr. co-hosted the fifth anniversary event.
In addition to honoring writers and producers in film and television, the Voice Awards also honored former First Lady Rosalynn Carter with the 1st ever SAMHSA Lifetime Leadership in Behavioral Health Award for her 40-year campaign to improve …

Health Reform, Public Awareness and Support »

[ 8 Oct 2010 | 3 Comments ]
Recognize Mental Illness Awareness Week and Participate in World Mental Health Day

In case you haven’t heard, Sunday, October 10th is World Mental Health Day! World Mental Health Day receives organizational support by the World Federation for Mental Health, and occurs on the last day of Mental Illness Awareness Week. To cap off the week and celebrate World Mental Health Day, we wanted to highlight some things SAMHSA is doing and some great activities others in the field have done to show how important it is to discuss mental health problems and break down the misconceptions and barriers to recovery.
SAMHSA has developed …

SAMHSA »

[ 6 Oct 2010 | 35 Comments ]
SAMHSA’s Eighth Strategic Initiatives Paper Open for Comment

By SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde, J.D.
As I have traveled around the country I have said that behavioral health is essential to health – for individuals, families, and communities, as well as for the Nation’s health delivery systems, and I truly believe this.  SAMHSA’s mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities.  SAMHSA, together with many partners, has demonstrated that prevention works, treatment is effective, and people recover from mental and substance use disorders.
SAMHSA cannot achieve its desires, its goals, its mission …