Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

• DATE: Established in 1992

DEFINITION: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a branch of the United States (US) Department of Health and Human Services, provides services related to addiction, substance abuse prevention, and mental health. The agency is guided by Six Strategic Priorities.

Background

Established by the US Congress, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) consists of four centers tasked with helping to guide health care practitioners on issues of substance abuse, addiction, and mental illness. SAMHSA comprises the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP), the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), and the Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality (CBHSQ).

CMHS is charged with promoting mental health and preventing mental illness; CSAP is charged with the prevention of addiction problems related to alcohol, drugs, and smoking; and CSAT provides for substance abuse treatment services through community-based services and nationwide referrals.

The fourth center, CBHSQ, handles all issues related to research, including disseminating information on evidence-based practices in behavioral health. This center was formerly known as the Office of Applied Studies.

Mission and Goals

SAMHSA’s primary mission is to reduce the harm of substance abuse, especially as it intersects with mental illness. As part of this mission, SAMHSA works to facilitate recovery and build recovery capital for people who are at risk for addiction or mental illness. To fulfill this mission, SAMHSA developed several strategic priorities to guide the agency’s work. These priorities also provide a mechanism for determining how resources should be used to best address the issues of addiction and mental health. SAMHSA's strategic priorities include:

1. Preventing substance misuse, abuse, and addiction
2. Addressing serious mental illness
3. Expanding crisis intervention care and services
4. Improving access to evidence-based treatment for mental illness, substance use, and co-occurring disorders
5. Helping individuals achieve long-term recovery and sobriety
6. Identifying and addressing emerging behavioral health threats

These Six Strategic Priorities provide the framework for SAMHSA to ensure its mission is fulfilled and its resources are expended in the areas of greatest need.

SAMHSA's Strategic Plan for 2023 through 2026 maintained many core elements of the 2011–2014 plan and added an emphasis on new priorities. These include preventing overdose; enhancing access to suicide prevention and crisis care; promoting resilience and emotional health for children, youth, and families; integrating behavioral and physical health care; and strengthening the behavioral health workforce. SAMHSA adjusts and adds to these priority areas when needed to reflect the nation's contemporary behavioral health and substance abuse needs.

Bibliography

"About Us." SAMHSA, 14 Feb. 2024, www.samhsa.gov/about-us. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.

Brounstein, P. J., et al. "Research to Practice: Efforts to Bring Effective Prevention to Every Community." Journal of Primary Prevention, vol. 27, no. 1, 2006, pp. 91–109.

Drake, Robert, and Gary Bond. "Implementing Integrated Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services." Journal of Dual Diagnosis, vol. 6, no. 3-4, 2010, pp. 251–62.

"Frequently Asked Questions ." SAMHSA, 4 Nov. 2024, www.samhsa.gov/about/faqs. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.

Mignon, Sylvia I. Substance Abuse Treatment: Options, Challenges, and Effectiveness. Springer, 2015.

Power, A. Kathryn. "Transforming the Nation’s Health: Next Steps in Mental Health Promotion." American Journal of Public Health, vol. 100, no. 12, 2010, pp. 2343–46, doi:10.2105/AJPH.2010.192138. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.

"SAMHSA's DRAFT Strategic Plan." SAMHSA, Apr. 2023, aahd.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/SAMHSA-draft-strategic-plan-2023-April-2023.pdf. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.

"SAMHSA Strategic Priorities." SAMHSA, 9 Oct. 2025, www.samhsa.gov/about/strategic-priorities. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.