Recent Reports

SAMHSA releases estimates from the 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. The report discusses the prevalence of addictions and mental illness in the U.S. and reports on the need for and barriers to addiction treatment, mental healthcare and co-occurring addictions and mental illnesses.

USA Today: "Schizophrenia is Eight Different Diseases, Not One." New research sets the stage for scientists to develop better ways to diagnose and treat schizophrenia. Read more.

Only about 1 in 10 people with a serious mental illness hold full-time jobs. The Bazelon Center’s new report, Getting to Work: Promoting Employment of People with Mental Illness, describes victories that have occurred for states providing supported employment services. The report offers recommendations to help states expand the availability of supported employment services for people with mental illnesses.

SAMHSA Report on Substance Use and Mental Health Conditions Is Released

According to a recently released report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 24.6 million Americans aged 12 or older had used illegal drugs (mostly commonly marijuana) in the previous month – this is 9.4 percent of this age group. In addition, the report notes that 34.6 million adults aged 18 or older (14.6 percent of this population) had received mental health treatment or counseling in the previous 12 months. “Nearly one in five American adults (18.5 percent), or 43.8 million adults, had a mental illness in 2013,” according to the report. “Ten million adults (4.2 percent of the adult population) had a serious mental illness in the past year. Serious mental illness is defined as mental illness that resulted in serious functional impairment, which substantially interfered with, or limited, one or more major life activities.” The report is available by clicking here.

SAMHSA Offers a “New, Evidence-Based Recovery Tool”

“SAMHSA’s new, evidence-based recovery tool – Taking Action: A Mental Health Recovery Self-Help Educational Program – can help health care officials, providers, and peers promote recovery and wellness for individuals with mental and/or substance use disorders. Taking Action includes 24 training sessions educating individuals about self-help concepts, mental health management, and other effective ways of promoting ongoing recovery. It also helps individuals identify and attain their life and vocational goals, improve self-esteem, and become full contributing members of the community.” To obtain a copy of Taking Action, click here. 

Capitol Connector Update from National Council for Behavioral Health

2015 HHS Appropriations On Hold After Subcommittee Markup Tuesday, the Senate Appropriations subcommittee with jurisdiction over healthcare released its proposed fiscal year 2015 funding levels for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). While program-level detail is not yet available, the top-line numbers held few surprises for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Read More

Medicaid and CHIP Enrollment Climbs by 6M vs. Pre-Health Reform Era Newly released data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) indicate that Medicaid enrollment continued to grow throughout April, beyond the March 31 end of the open enrollment period in state and federal health insurance exchanges. Because enrollment in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) can occur year-round, enrollment under the programs continues to grow. The new data show roughly six million more Medicaid and CHIP enrollees as compared to the period immediately preceding the initial open enrollment period under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Read More National Council for Behavioral Health [communications@thenationalcouncil.org]

SAMHSA Offers Recovery Month Toolkit

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is offering a Recovery Month Toolkit. SAMHSA writes: “Get a jumpstart on your 2014 event planning with the newly launched Recovery MonthToolkit. This year’s toolkit, which celebrates the 25th anniversary of Recovery Month, highlights the theme ‘Join the Voices for Recovery: Speak Up, Reach Out.’ The theme encourages people to openly discuss – or speak up about – mental and substance use disorders and the reality of recovery. The observance also promotes ways first responders, faith leaders, youth and young adults, and policymakers can recognize these issues and intervene – or reach out to help others, as well as themselves. As with past toolkits, you will find resources and tools for working with the media, planning and promoting a Recovery Month event, targeted outreach materials, and current and updated fast facts, resource listings, and information on commonly misused drugs and mental health disorders.” The 2014 toolkit is available online to view or download in English and in Spanish by clicking here.

Source: http://www.samhsa.gov