	About This Report

This report provides background information and a summary of federal programs related to behavioral health among the American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) population. Congressional hearings have focused on behavioral health problems such as alcohol use disorders, drug use disorders, and youth suicide in the AI/AN population. Federal Agencies Included in This Report

Designing and implementing programs to improve AI/AN behavioral health is a challenging task that requires collaboration among federal agencies, tribal governments, other organizations, communities, and individuals. This report, however, focuses on the activities of two agencies within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): the Indian Health Service (IHS) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). IHS is the lead federal agency on health care (including behavioral health care) among the AI/AN population. SAMHSA is the lead federal agency on behavioral health care among the general population (including the AI/AN population). Other programs may finance behavioral health services for the AI/AN population. IHS and SAMHSA Programs Included in This Report

This report includes IHS and SAMHSA programs that specifically target behavioral health in the AI/AN population; it does not include every IHS or SAMHSA program that may be used to support behavioral health in the AI/AN population. Background on AI/AN Behavioral Health

Research on AI/AN behavioral health demonstrates three key points: The AI/AN population has (1) a high prevalence of risk factors for behavioral health problems, (2) a high prevalence of behavioral health problems, and (3) limited access to care for behavioral health problems. IHS programs within ASAP's scope include Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), Integrated Substance Abuse Treatment in Primary Care, Methamphetamine and Suicide Prevention Initiative (MSPI), and Youth Regional Treatment Centers (YRTCs). IHS programs within MM/SS's scope are Behavioral Health Integration with Primary Care, Telebehavioral Health and Workforce Development, and Zero Suicide Initiative. GLS Youth Suicide Prevention—State/Tribal

The GLS Youth Suicide Prevention—State/Tribal program aims to improve the suicide prevention efforts of states, U.S. territories, ITs, and TOs.
Behavioral health problems (e.g., mental disorders, substance use disorders, and suicide) among the American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) population have been the subject of multiple congressional hearings, introduced bills, and Administration initiatives in recent years.
Research on AI/AN behavioral health demonstrates three key points: Relative to the general U.S. population, the AI/AN population has (1) a high prevalence of risk factors for behavioral health problems, (2) a high prevalence of behavioral health problems, and (3) limited access to care for behavioral health problems. Improving behavioral health among the AI/AN population is a challenging task that requires collaboration among federal agencies, tribal governments, other organizations, communities, and individuals, especially in a resource constrained budget environment.
Within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), two key agencies conduct activities designed to improve AI/AN behavioral health: the Indian Health Service (IHS) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). IHS is the lead federal agency on health care (including behavioral health care) among the AI/AN population. SAMHSA is the lead federal agency on behavioral health care among the general population (including the AI/AN population).
This report describes IHS and SAMHSA programs (listed below) that specifically target behavioral health in the AI/AN population; it does not include every IHS or SAMHSA program available to support behavioral health in the AI/AN population.
IHS Programs
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Integrated Substance Abuse Treatment in Primary Care Methamphetamine and Suicide Prevention Initiative Youth Regional Treatment Centers Behavioral Health Integration with Primary Care Telebehavioral Health and Workforce Development Zero Suicide Initiative
SAMHSA Programs
Systems of Care Circles of Care Garrett Lee Smith (GLS) Youth Suicide Prevention—Campus GLS Youth Suicide Prevention—State/Tribal Native Connections Project LAUNCH Strategic Prevention Framework–Partnerships for Success Drug Courts
Understanding the relationship between AI/AN behavioral health problems and related federal programs may help policymakers consider policy options affecting the AI/AN population. Policymakers could amend, eliminate, or create programs; require different types of coordination or information; and/or provide additional oversight.