About Us

ADS Center Brochure (PDF 240 Kb)

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) ADS Center enhances acceptance and social inclusion by ensuring that people with mental health problems, substance use disorders, and those who have experienced trauma can live full, productive lives within communities without fear of prejudice and discrimination. We provide information and assistance to develop successful efforts to counteract prejudice and discrimination and promote social inclusion.

The 16-member SAMHSA ADS Center Steering Committee, which includes leaders from various perspectives in the behavioral health field, serves as an important advisory committee, helping guide the project's focus, activities, and programs. Steering Committee members are valuable resources who assist in expanding the Center's outreach efforts, resource database, visibility, and ability to respond appropriately to the diverse needs of community members.

Formerly known as SAMHSA’s Resource Center to Address Discrimination and Stigma, the Center's name changed in 2008 to SAMHSA’s Resource Center to Promote Acceptance, Dignity and Social Inclusion Associated with Mental Health (ADS Center).

The change reflects a new approach: to promote a strengths-based vision, recognizing the importance of a caring, welcoming, and supportive community in helping to promote recovery and wellness for people with mental health problems, substance use disorders, and those who have experienced trauma. Reducing stigma and discrimination continues to be part of the ADS Center's work.

The SAMHSA ADS Center offers the following:

• Information about what works to promote acceptance and social inclusion of people with mental health problems and/or substance use disorders
• Training and technical assistance to help create initiatives to promote social inclusion
• Information about how to connect with more than 50 existing international, national, and local campaigns and programs
• Information about available publications, events, research, and issues of relevance regarding prejudice and discrimination associated with mental health problems
• A comprehensive online library of more than 1,000 items that promote acceptance and social inclusion and/or address prejudice and discrimination
• Resources and information promoting social inclusion related to special populations, such as children and young adults, older adults, and racial and gender minorities, as well as information for employers, realtors/landlords, behavioral health providers, educators, faith groups, policy makers, and the media

The SAMHSA ADS Center's staff is available by phone, mail, and e-mail to assist individuals and organizations.

The ADS Center is a program of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services.