During Substance Use Prevention Month and year-round, many opportunities exist for the prevention field to work collaboratively (across sectors and partners) to develop and implement comprehensive prevention approaches. Prevention seeks to prevent initiation of substance use, prevent progression of substance use (to a substance use disorder), and prevent harms associated with substance use.

The lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, and intersex (LGBTQI+) community faces unique challenges related to mental health conditions and substance use disorders yet is often underrepresented in discussions about behavioral health. The LGBTQI+ Behavioral Health Summit held on June 24-25, 2024, in Rockville, MD, was a ground-breaking event for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

In October, SAMHSA celebrates Substance Use Prevention Month — an opportunity for the prevention field and prevention partners to highlight the importance and impact of prevention. And given the substance use and overdose challenges facing our country, prevention has never been more important. This month, each of us can inspire action by sharing how prevention is improving lives in communities across our nation.

As we close out another busy Recovery Month, I wanted to reflect upon this important observance and share about some of our accomplishments this year. Every September since 1989, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has recognized National Recovery Month. These days, it can be harder and harder to find someone whose life is not touched in some way by the recovery community. That’s because the recovery community is vast and diverse.

September is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) Awareness Month, a meaningful time to raise awareness of FASD prevention and celebrate the strengths, skills, and successes of those living with FASDs. Did you know that approximately one in 20 school-aged children in the United States (or 5%) may have FASDs?