Advancing Behavioral Health Equity and Language Justice: SAMHSA's Updated Language Access Plan

Date: August 08, 2024

Category: Office of Behavioral Health Equity

At the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), we know that every one of us, regardless of who we are or our background, deserves access to quality behavioral health care resources and services. In everything that we do, we strive to advance equity, eliminate health disparities, and promote overall well-being for all, including individuals with non-English language preference (NELP). After all, language is not just a means of communication; language is also about creating opportunity, embracing cultural identity, creating connection, and fostering belonging.

Our Commitment towards Language Justice

In August 2024, SAMHSA joins the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Operating and Staff Divisions in releasing our updated Language Access Plan (LAP) (PDF | 1.8 MB) - a comprehensive roadmap designed to provide meaningful access for individuals with NELP to programs and activities administered and funded by SAMHSA in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

SAMHSA's LAP (PDF | 1.8 MB) outlines our policies, responsibilities, and best practices for providing language assistance services. To deliver the most effective language access strategies, we, along with our grantees and contractors, will continue to identify ways to effectively engage and address the language access needs of all the communities we serve. Key elements of the LAP include:

• Written Translations: We aim to translate vital documents and develop multilingual resources to better serve individuals with NELP and diverse language preferences.
• Interpretation Services: We aim to provide interpretation services to individuals with NELP in an effective and inclusive way.
• Grant Assurance and Compliance: We aim to provide guidance to grantees in their plans for providing language assistance services to the communities they serve.
• Staff Training: We aim to provide our staff with language access training to effectively engage and assist individuals with NELP and diverse language preferences.

By embracing language diversity and ensuring equitable access to our behavioral health information, programs, and services, we are reaffirming SAMHSA's mission to lead public health and service delivery efforts that promote mental health, prevent substance misuse, and provide treatments and supports to foster recovery while ensuring equitable access and better outcomes for all populations.

Our Call to Action

We encourage SAMHSA grantees and contractors, staff members, the people our programs serve, and our many partners to familiarize themselves with the LAP (PDF | 1.8 MB) and to actively support its implementation.

Fueled by our shared belief in the power of inclusivity and equity, we will continue to work together so that every single individual we serve feels seen, heard, and understood-a powerful testament to the transformative power of language justice.

For questions or if you need further information about SAMHSA's LAP. Please email: [email protected].