Black/African American | SAMHSA

Black/African American | SAMHSA

Black or African American

Resources on the Black or African American population include national survey reports, agency and federal initiatives, and related behavioral health resources.

Data and Reports

• NSDUH Report - Substance Use among Black Adolescents
• NSDUH Report - Substance Use among Black Adults
• Need for and Receipt of Substance Use Treatment Among Blacks looks at the need for and receipt of substance use treatment among African Americans and people from other racial and ethnic groups ages 12 or older.
• Non-Hispanic Black Substance Abuse Treatment Admissions for Cocaine Decreased from 2000 to 2010 (PDF | 275 KB)looks at trends in cocaine-related admissions for treatment among African Americans and members of other racial and ethnic groups.

SAMHSA Programs and Initiatives

• The Historically Black Colleges and Universities Center for Excellence in Behavioral Health works to:
  • Promote student behavioral health to positively impact student retention
  • Expand campus service capacity, including the provision of culturally appropriate behavioral health resources
  • Facilitate best practices dissemination and behavioral health workforce development

SAMHSA Behavioral Health Resources

• Drugs, Alcohol, and HIV/AIDS: A Consumer Guide for African Americans is designed to increase awareness among African American consumers about the link between HIV/AIDS and substance use.

Federal Initiatives and Resources

• The White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) seeks to strengthen the capacity of the HBCUs to provide excellence in education. Read Executive Order 13532.
• Pathways to Freedom: Winning the Fight Against Tobaccois a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) publication that addresses tobacco issues specific to African Americans, such as targeted advertising campaigns and historical, cultural, and socioeconomic influences.
• Mental Health and African Americans is an Office of Minority Health web page that highlights fast facts related to mental health and African Americans.

Additional Resources

• American Association of Suicidology - African American Suicide Fact Sheet (PDF | 279 KB)
• American Lung Association - African Americans and Tobacco Use
• American Psychiatric Association - African Americans and Mental Health
• American Psychological Association - African Americans have limited access to mental and behavioral health care
• BlackWomensHealth.com - Black Women and Mental Health
• Mental Health America - African American Communities and Mental Health
• National Alliance on Mental Illness - African American Resources