The Gift of Sober Driving
During the holiday season, many of us look forward to get-togethers with friends and family. Unfortunately, holidays can also be a dangerous time for alcohol- and drug-related traffic incidents. SAMHSA is observing National Impaired Driving Prevention Month in December to raise awareness of this deadly …
Cancer Prevention and Heart Health — What Role Does Alcohol Play?
February is Cancer Prevention Month and Heart Health Month. Many people are aware of risks (such as tobacco, unhealthy foods and beverages, and lack of exercise) for cancer and heart disease. Do you also know about the risks posed by alcohol? Alcohol We know that …
Happy Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day: a day to celebrate the mothers in our lives, the one who gave birth to us, the one who adopted us, the one we picked to be our mother or who volunteered to step up for the role because ours was not available …
On Having Disabilities
May 10, 2011, was a beautiful spring day in Connecticut. I was idling in a traffic jam on my way home from work. Then, from the other direction, a pick-up truck going 80 miles per hour suddenly veered into my lane and struck my car …
Back to School and Mental Health: Supporting Our Children for a Successful Year Ahead
As the heat of the summer reaches its peak, and (hopefully soon) gives way to the cooler autumn breezes, it’s time for children and youth to return to school. This transition — filled with excitement, anticipation, and some natural apprehension — is an annual ritual …
“Talk. They Hear You.”® Celebrates 10 Years of Preventing Underage Substance Use
This year, “Talk. They Hear You.”® celebrates its 10th anniversary. SAMHSA’s national prevention campaign helps parents and caregivers, educators, and community members get informed, be prepared, and take action to prevent underage drinking and other substance use. The campaign is designed to capitalize on the …
Honoring National Rural Health Day
On November 16, we observe National Rural Health Day, a time to recognize the approximate 65 million people, or one in five Americans, living in rural America and the potential barriers to healthcare they might face. While rural areas have more land area, fewer people, …
Supporting Your Mental Health During the Holiday Season
In the 2003 holiday movie classic, “Elf,” the main character, Buddy, shares a particular fondness for the holiday season, “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!” No matter what traditions you celebrate this winter, not everyone shares Buddy’s …
World AIDS Day: SAMHSA Highlights Innovation to End the HIV Epidemic
World AIDS Day provides a yearly call to action for us to work collaboratively to end the HIV epidemic in the United States and worldwide. This year marks the 35th anniversary of World AIDS Day, a milestone that gives us the opportunity to commemorate those …
Creating Change and Acknowledging Failure
Tyler’s Journey Through the Criminal Legal System “He’s dead, David. He’s dead. He’s dead.” Those frantic, dreadful words echoed through my mind, on repeat. ‘David’—that is me. ‘He’—that’s my friend, Tyler. Or I should say ‘was,’ as of September 5, 2023. Tyler and I were …
