Message from the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health Awareness Month and National Prevention Week

By: Elinore F. McCance-Katz, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use

Each and every day, SAMHSA works to ensure that substance misuse is prevented in America’s communities and that our nation’s mental health is strong. May marks Mental Health Awareness Month and this week, marks National Prevention Week.
The value of prevention cannot be overstated. Particularly, in these difficult times, we know that many may turn to substances to cope with the new stressors we are all now faced with. I have been inspired by community prevention efforts across this country. Preventionists who have already dedicated themselves to this cause have redoubled their efforts to create innovative solutions to provide prevention services while observing social distancing and stay-at-home orders.