How can we effectively prevent substance use and mental disorders in our communities? Discover the strategies and initiatives led by SAMHSA to promote evidence-based practices for prevention and early intervention.

Substance Use Disorder Prevention

SAMHSA’s Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) aims to develop comprehensive systems through providing national leadership in the development of policies, programs, and services to prevent the onset of substance misuse. Some of their key initiatives include:

Talk. They Hear You. Campaign

This campaign aims to reduce underage drinking and substance use among youths under the age of 21 by providing parents and caregivers with resources to discuss substance use with their children.

Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking (ICCPUD)

This committee coordinates federal efforts to reduce underage drinking and served as a resource for the development of A Comprehensive Plan for Preventing and Reducing Underage Drinking. It is comprised of 15 federal agencies and led by SAMHSA.

STOP Underage Drinking

This interagency website portal provides research, federal and state resources, and funding opportunities to reduce and prevent underage drinking and its consequences.

National Prevention Week

Held in May, this initiative promotes community involvement, resource sharing, and partnership engagement to increase public awareness of substance use and mental disorders. It also provides resources for communities to highlight their prevention successes throughout the year.

Communities Talk: Town Hall Meetings to Prevent Underage Drinking

This nationwide initiative provides community-based organizations with the resources they need to start or support a conversation about evidence-based underage drinking prevention. It engages multiple stakeholders within each community to mobilize action in underage drinking prevention or strengthen existing prevention programs.

Mental Disorder Prevention

SAMHSA’s Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) leads federal efforts to promote the prevention and treatment of mental disorders. Some of their key initiatives include:

National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day

Held in May, this event works to increase public awareness about the needs of children with serious mental illness and severe emotional disturbance, and demonstrates how children’s mental health initiatives promote positive youth development, recovery, and resilience.

Federal Commission on School Safety

This federal commission, established in 2018, works to address school safety by recommending policy and best practices for school violence prevention. It includes various federal cabinet members, including the current Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use.

National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative (NCTSI)

This initiative raises awareness about the impact of trauma on children and adolescents as a behavioral health concern, and develops and implements evidence-based interventions to reduce the mental health impact of traumatic experiences on children and adolescents.

Workforce/Practitioner Training and Education

SAMHSA’s efforts also focus on training and educating the workforce to implement evidence-based practices for prevention, treatment, and recovery services. Two key initiatives include:

Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) Network

This network provides training and technical assistance to the substance use prevention field through 10 regional centers, 2 National focus area centers, and a Network Coordinating Office.

Mental Health Technology Transfer Centers (MHTTC) Network

This network provides training and technical assistance to organizations and behavioral health treatment providers to deliver evidence-based practices in mental illness prevention, treatment, and recovery.

SAMHSA’s Evidence-Based Practices Resource Center

SAMHSA’s Evidence-Based Practices Resource Center works to provide communities, clinicians, policymakers, and others in the field with the information they need to incorporate evidence-based practices in their communities for prevention, treatment, and recovery services.

The Importance of Prevention

Preventing mental and/or substance use disorders or co-occurring disorders and related problems is critical to behavioral and physical health. Substance use and mental disorders can make daily activities difficult and impair a person’s ability to work, interact with family, and fulfill other major life functions. Mental and substance use disorders are among the top conditions that cause disability in the United States.

Conclusion

SAMHSA’s comprehensive approach to prevention and early intervention aims to reduce the impact of substance use and mental disorders in America’s communities. Through evidence-based campaigns, initiatives, and resources, they are working to educate and support individuals, families, and communities in promoting mental health and preventing substance misuse.