SAMHSA
Pronunciation: SAM-suh
Also written as: SAMHSA — Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the U.S. federal agency responsible for improving behavioral health services.
Full Definition
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA provides funding, resources, and guidance for substance abuse prevention, addiction treatment, and mental health services. The agency establishes evidence-based practices, collects national data on behavioral health, and supports community-based programs. SAMHSA guidelines and recommendations frequently influence clinical practice standards, documentation requirements, and treatment protocols in psychiatric settings.
Usage
Usage note: Always capitalize when using the acronym; spell out on first use in formal documents.
In Context
- "The treatment program follows SAMHSA guidelines for integrated dual diagnosis treatment." — program description
- "SAMHSA funding supports our community mental health outreach initiatives." — grant application