SAMHSA Release New Strategic Priorities

This week, SAMHSA released a document providing a detailed overview of SAMHSA’s strategic priorities, core areas of work, and commitment to the mission outlined in the Make America Health Again Commission Report and Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy to deliver better health outcomes.   

SAMHSA’s mission is to “leads public health and service delivery efforts that treat mental illness, especially serious mental illness, prevent substance abuse and addiction, and provide treatments and supports to foster recovery while ensuring access and better outcomes for all.” And they have identified six strategic priorities which include:

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

To accomplish these goals, SAMHSA will rely on three cross-cutting principles of being data-driven, innovative, and use of gold-standard practices.  There are five core areas of work:  analyzing and disseminating data and research; building capacity and services at the national, state, and local levels; building collaboration and partnerships; education and communication; and testing and piloting solutions.

The strategic priorities include specific focus on prevention of substance misuse and abuse as foundational to addressing chronic diseases and achieving the Make America Health Again goals.  It also discusses expanding crisis services, improving access to evidence-based treatments, identifying emerging behavioral health threats,  and key outcome measures.  The report also draws connections to how the SAMHSA will support other administration priorities related to immigrations, homelessness, unlawful discrimination, combat gender ideology and protect children, and support parental rights. 

Trump Administration Release Make Our Children Healthy Again Report and Strategy

This week, the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission released the MAHA Report and  Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy, a sweeping plan with more than 120 initiatives to reverse the failed policies that fueled America’s childhood chronic disease epidemic. The strategy outlines targeted executive actions to advance gold-standard science, realign incentives, increase public awareness, and strengthen private-sector collaboration.  Chaired by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Commission is tasked with investigating and addressing the root causes of America’s escalating health crisis, with a focus on childhood chronic diseases.

The MAHA Commission identified four potential drivers behind the rise of chronic diseases, including behavioral health conditions with the largest opportunities for progress as: poor diet, chemical exposure, lack of physical activity and chronic stress, and overmedicalization.  Several of the key strategies include efforts to expand access to data and new approach methodologies, understanding the root causes of Autism, evaluating and modernizing prescribing patterns and impacts on mental health (including the overprescribing of SSRI/SRNIs, antipsychotics, stimulants, and other drugs for children, focusing on nutrition, food quality and food for health, evaluating efficacy of vaccines and vaccine injury, water quality and fluoride, and alignment with other administrative priorities.  The strategy document also suggests policies to propose efficiency and deregulation related to agriculture, food, drug and device approval, EPA processes, and governmental data for research.  It also describes the proposed HHS restructuring to support these efforts.  Finally, the strategy outlines efforts to improve community and individual education and efforts to foster private sector collaboration.

The Ohio Council's Annual Conference - Registration Opens Next Week!

Get ready! The 2025 Ohio Council Annual Conference is happening October 29–30, 2025 at the Hilton Columbus at Easton, and you won’t want to miss it!

Join us for two incredible days of learning, networking, and collaboration with behavioral health leaders and professionals from across Ohio. From inspiring keynote speakers to engaging breakout sessions, this year’s conference promises to deliver fresh insights and meaningful connections.

When: October 29–30, 2025
Where: Hilton Columbus at Easton

Registration opens next week! Mark your calendar and watch for more details coming soon.

We can’t wait to welcome you to Columbus for another unforgettable conference experience!

The 2025 Recovery Month Toolkit is Live!

September is Recovery Month, a time when we celebrate the millions of Americans who are in recovery and remind those struggling with mental health and substance use issues that recovery is REAL (Restoring Every Aspect of Life).

Use the Recovery Month Toolkit to learn more about recovery resources and how to share a message of hope with your audiences. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those in or seeking recovery from mental and substance use disorders.

What’s in the Toolkit?

• Key Messages and Weekly Themes to help you create impactful content for various audiences.
• Social Media Shareables, including posts, graphics, and animations that you can share with followers on your social media platforms. Posts are also available for Spanish-speaking audiences.
• Digital Stickers to highlight Recovery Month in social media stories and posts.
• Email Signatures to show your commitment to supporting those in Recovery.
• Virtual Meeting Backgrounds to personalize and brand your online meetings.
• Hashtags, including #RecoveryMonth, #RecoveryJourney, #RecoveryHappens, and #Recovery.  Hashtags are also available for Spanish-speaking audiences.

Please download and share these resources with your communities. Thank you for taking part in this critical effort. Remember, with the right treatment, support, and resources, recovery is REAL.

Click here to view the Toolkit