February 1st was SAMHSA’s 17th Annual Prevention Day, an opportunity for networking and shared learning with stakeholders from across the behavioral health continuum. Such collaboration, whether through official events like Prevention Day or in the course of other activities, is more important now than ever. Although data is still preliminary, available evidence shows that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has seriously negatively impacted behavioral health across the United States. Recent surveys have found that rates of substance use to cope with stress and suicidal ideation have significantly increased since the pandemic began.1 Meanwhile, provisional mortality data suggests that fatal overdose rates may have increased by over 10 percent just from January to May 2020.2
Through Prevention Day, and other events, it is vital that substance use prevention professionals learn more about evidence-based programs and practices, implementation science and skills, the latest data and research developments, and other skill areas to address ongoing needs. Prevention Day itself is also an opportunity to learn about SAMHSA’s prevention priorities for the coming year, and an opportunity to celebrate the prevention successes that have been achieved. Information on Prevention Day is available through the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America. Prevention training and technical assistance is available through the Central East Prevention Technology Transfer Center