Substance Abuse &; Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is the lead federal agency for increasing access to behavioral health services. SAMHSA funds community-based mental health and substance abuse treatment and prevention services and collects information on the incidence and prevalence of mental illness and substance abuse at the national and state level. These activities support SAMHSA's mission to improve the lives of people with substance abuse disorders and mental illnesses. This book provides an overview of SAMHSA's organization and programs and includes some analysis of the agency's funding over the past decade. It also highlights some of the issues that may be addressed by Congress when it next considers legislation to reauthorize SAMHSA and its programs.