HIGHLIGHTS
- Advancing the nation’s behavioral health needs strong communications and outreach.
- Abt helps SAMHSA with planning and research to develop strategy.
- We produced effective materials to use in outreach efforts.
The Challenge
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. Its mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities. Strong communications are vital to fulfilling that mission. SAMHSA’s key goals include becoming recognized as a national and international leader in behavioral health care; advancing the achievements of the behavioral health field; and enhancing the field’s position within general health care.
The Approach
Abt provides a range of communications strategies and materials to SAMHSA. For example, we have assisted in creating an agency-wide strategic communications plan, designing print and electronic materials and developing traditional and new media outreach for SAMHSA’s audiences. We work with agency staff to coordinate communications research for tobacco prevention and cessation with for people with behavioral health conditions. Our research has supported campaigns on enrollment of uninsured individuals with behavioral health conditions under the Affordable Care Act.
The Results
Our work is assisting the Office of Communications achieves SAMHSA’s key goals of becoming recognized as a national and international leader in behavioral health care; advancing the achievements of the behavioral health field; and enhancing the field’s position within general health care.