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 …
The Foundation of Mental Health: It Starts at Birth
Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health is the Foundation of Life In today’s news, references to “mental health” most often focus on child and adult mental health – with the mental health of infants and young toddlers often overlooked or misunderstood. However, given that important …
The Importance of Disaster Behavioral Health: Why it Matters
From devastating wildfires, tornadoes, and mudslides to mass shootings and terrorist attacks, it’s almost impossible to turn on the news these days without seeing a report about another disaster. Natural and human-caused disasters are increasing in frequency, duration, and severity. In 2023 alone, the United …
It’s Okay to Not Be Okay: Tips and Resources for Mental Health Awareness Month
It’s May, so just checking in… “How is everybody doing?” In case you missed it, Sesame Street’s lovable Elmo posed that very question on social media earlier this year – and the responses came flooding in. From relationship problems to financial troubles, and feelings of …
