October marks Substance Use Prevention Month, emphasizing the critical role of prevention in improving individual and community health. The Biden-Harris Administration prioritizes substance use prevention, highlighted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Overdose Prevention Strategy. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) releases a blog highlighting the 20th anniversary of the […]
Prevention
Substance Use Prevention Month
Substance Use Prevention Month Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration October is Substance Use Prevention Month — and we’re Telling the Prevention Story. Join us, as partners in prevention! To inspire action, each of us can share how prevention is improving lives in our communities. We aim to prevent substance use in the […]
Developing Effective Substance Use Prevention Messaging
Prevention messaging seeks to change behavior by inspiring hope and providing information on the risks of substance use. Implementing well-designed, culturally responsive messaging alongside other evidence-based prevention strategies can increase the effectiveness of each. This product explains the importance of prevention messaging, provides examples of messaging techniques, and shares tips and resources for developing a […]
Promoting Collaboration Between Prevention and Harm Reduction
Collaboration between prevention and harm reduction can improve health outcomes and expand the reach of services. Harm reduction touches services across the behavioral health continuum of care and can align with prevention strategies. This product explains the importance of collaboration between prevention and harm reduction and identifies potential collaborative opportunities and partners. To view/download the […]
#MyPreventionStory
#MyPreventionStory is a way for us to acknowledge our mental health and substance use and misuse prevention experiences. Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, Demetrie Garner, shares his #MyPreventionStory about his challenges with substance use and how he was able to overcome it: Darkness loomed in every corner of my life during active substance use. My use created […]
Championing Mental Health and Substance Use Prevention: Honoring National BIPOC Mental Health Month
Championing Mental Health and Substance Use Prevention: Honoring Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) Mental Health Month By Jade-Ann Rennie, MPH On this occasion, we are acknowledging Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) Mental Health Month, a time dedicated to increasing awareness about the unique mental health challenges experienced by BIPOC communities in […]
Syndemics and the Syndemic Framework to Substance Misuse Prevention
A “syndemic” refers to two or more co-occurring epidemics that have shared causes and compounding negative effects. Addressing syndemics can help advance health equity and reduce the scope and impact of negative health conditions. This product explains what syndemics are, provides examples of syndemics that involve substance use, introduces the syndemic framework to prevention, and provides tips […]
The 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (National Strategy) and Federal Action Plan
The Biden-Harris Administration, through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (National Strategy) and accompanying Federal Action Plan. SAMHSA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in partnership with the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance), led the development of these […]
Substance Use Prevention Services for Older Adults
More than 13.6 million adults over the age of 50 met the criteria for a substance use disorder in 2022. Yet substance use among this population remains underrecognized and has historically not been a priority population for many prevention professionals. This product explains the scope and causes of substance use among older adults, including the […]
Alcohol Awareness Month
As April unfolds, we find ourselves at the crossroads of education and action, as we bring our attention to a critical matter that demands our collective efforts – underage alcohol use. The prevalence of underage alcohol use demands our attention and calls for a community-wide response. This isn’t just a challenge; it’s an opportunity for […]