Cross-posted from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation blog
The recent first-ever Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report on mental health issues in America, found that half of all Americans have a mental health issue at some point in their lives. Pamela Hyde, Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) a keynote speaker at this year’s APHA annual meeting, focused on what public health can do to identify these issues and improve prevention, treatment and recovery.  Watch her opening session speech here, and read an APHA Q&A with …

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 …