Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is a U.S. federal agency within the Department of Health and Human Services. Its work addresses mental health, substance use, prevention, treatment access and recovery through public-health programmes and information resources.
Organization profile
- Organization type
- Government / public health agency
- Headquarters / base
- Rockville, Maryland, United States
- Geographic scope
- United States and its territories
Medical focus
Activities
Population served
Role and geographic scope
SAMHSA describes its role as leading U.S. public-health efforts in behavioral health. Its remit includes people living with mental health or substance use conditions, their families, and the organizations that support them. The agency’s headquarters are in Rockville, Maryland; its national remit extends beyond that location.
The agency supports states, territories, tribes, communities and local organizations through grants and other programme resources. These activities are distinct from operating a local hospital or providing an individual’s clinical care.
Programmes and information resources
The official Find Help collection brings together treatment-location services, crisis resources, treatment-referral information and an opioid-treatment programme directory. These resources serve different purposes and are presented separately by the agency.
SAMHSA’s public information addresses prevention, treatment and recovery. Its publication service and programme guidance also support practitioners and community organizations. The agency’s placement within the Department of Health and Human Services is documented in its organizational information.
Its Mental Health Awareness Month 2026 information includes major depressive disorder among the conditions discussed in public education.
National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information
The National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information, commonly abbreviated NCADI, was a historical information resource associated with SAMHSA. A federal treatment-data publication issued in June 2007 directed readers to NCADI for copies. URC’s account of its 1987–2007 clearinghouse project identifies SAMHSA as the funder and describes publication distribution, information services and outreach.
NCADI is presented here as a historical programme reference, not as another name for the entire agency. SAMHSA’s current contact page directs publication enquiries to its Library, while its current Find Help pages describe the resources available through the agency today.
Further health reading
Sources
Institutional relationships