SAMHSA’s featured stories page received an update in late August. It showcases partnerships that connect people with substance use and mental health disorders to help through trusted local institutions.

These partnerships can reach people who would never walk into a treatment center on their own.

What SAMHSA’s Faith Partnerships Do

SAMHSA started supporting faith-based and community engagement since 1993. It became one of the first federal agencies to run an initiative in this area.

Its programs fund prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery services in faith and community settings. The agency focuses on historically underserved and culturally diverse populations.

SAMHSA’s Community Substance Abuse Prevention Partnership Program alone includes more than 800 faith-based community partners among its grantees.

This year’s Recovery Month theme is “Recovery is REAL (Restoring Every Aspect of Life).” The theme gives faith communities materials they can use in their own settings.

SAMHSA’s toolkit includes announcements talking points, conversation guides and ready made social posts for services and gatherings. The materials direct congregants to 988, FindTreatment.gov and FindSupport.gov.

The agency connects its faith initiative to the broader Great American Recovery Initiative, which relies on community networks and local voices to connect people with recovery resources.

Why Faith Settings Reach Different People

Churches, mosques, synagogues and community organizations often have strong relationships with people who may not trust clinical settings.

This can matter especially in immigrant, rural and minority communities where stigma around addiction remains high.

Faith leaders often see families before a crisis develops and Recovery Month materials give these leaders concrete scripts they can use to start conversations and direct people toward treatment.

Past SAMHSA funded projects have trained faith leaders in substance use education and harm reduction. They have also connected congregations with local treatment and support services.

One recent Virginia example reached more than 5,000 people through participating congregations.

What This Means for Treatment Seekers

Someone who hears about recovery from a trusted faith leader may accept a referral that they would have refused from another source.

Providers can also view these partnerships as an important referral pathway when they build relationships within their communities.

Exploring Treatment Options

Rehab.com’s directory makes it possible to compare rehab centers. Verify which therapies and medications a facility offers and review insurance coverage for rehab before making a call. Call 800-985-8516 ( Question iconSponsored Helpline ) to speak with a treatment advisor.

Quentin Blount Written By: Quentin Blount Content Director
Quentin brings over a decade of experience in writing, editing, and digital publishing to his role as Content Director at Rehab.com, where he leads a full-scale content operation across addiction treatment, mental health, and behavioral health verticals. He has experience managing large editorial teams, executing content strategy for clients, and building the workflows and systems that keep high-volume publishing operations running efficiently. Quentin is committed to making treatment information accessible, trustworthy, and easy to navigate for people seeking help for themselves or their loved ones. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, friends, family, and dog, Coop.