Written By: Brian Altman, Legislative Director, SAMHSA
June is LGBT Pride Month and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration recognizes the importance of ensuring equity and meeting the behavioral health needs of the LGBT community.
SAMHSA’s mission to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities includes the LGBT community.  SAMHSA has developed manuals, training curriculums, treatment protocols and toolkits to address training needs. These materials are designed to address the 31 LGBT-specific/inclusive Action Steps in SAMHSA’s eight Strategic Initiatives.
Although SAMHSA is proud of these resources, there …

Written By: Rashetta Fairnot, Public Health Advisor, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment
On Wednesday, May 30, we hosted the May Recovery Month Twitter chat on the topic of “Partnerships and Collaboration: Recovery Services, Systems, and Support.” I was joined by co-hosts Paolo Del Vecchio, Acting Director from the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) and Cathy Nugent, Senior Public Health Analyst, CMHS for a robust conversation centered on recovery-oriented services and support for people in or seeking recovery. The chat also addressed how people in recovery and their families can work …

Cross-posted from HHS News: Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affects 1 in 29 Americans, from our country’s service men and women to abused children and survivors of rape, domestic violence and natural disasters.  During PTSD Awareness Month in June, and throughout the year, we recognize the millions of Americans who experience this challenging and debilitating condition.
PTSD is an anxiety disorder that some people develop after seeing or living through an event that caused or threatened serious harm or death. PTSD may result …

Are strategies the same for preventing substance abuse and supporting recovery for service members, veterans and their families as they are for the civilian population?
You can find out on June 7th, from 2:00-3:30 (ET).  SAMHSA’s Military Families Strategic Initiative Service Members, Veterans, and their Families (SMVF) Technical Assistance Center is hosting a webinar that will provide suggestions for approaching the issue of substance abuse prevention and recovery support, addressing gaps, and removing barriers to building systems that are informed by military culture.  Michelle Cleary, Project Associate for the SMVF TA …

We mourn the tragic loss of life from the recent shootings in Seattle.  Our sympathies go to the families and loved ones of the victims as well as to the entire Seattle community.  SAMHSA also stands ready to be supportive with many resources to assist those coping with the aftermath of such tragedies.
SAMHSA works every day to help prevent such tragedies from occurring.  For example, SAMHSA sponsors the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline  (Lifeline) which provides those in suicidal crisis or emotional distress get the help they need  The Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255), is …