The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR), Bureau for Behavioral Health (BBH) joins the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to celebrate
National Prevention Week (NPW), May 7-13, 2023. NPW highlights the work of communities and organizations across the country related to raising awareness about the importance of substance misuse prevention and positive mental health.
Governor Jim Justice also proclaimed May 7-13, 2023, as National Prevention Week in West Virginia.
“Prevention is a daily and integral part of the behavioral health continuum of care to keep individuals and communities healthy and safe,” said Christina Mullins, DHHR’s Deputy Secretary of Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders. “Utilization of evidence-based prevention programs, strategies, and resources reduces risks related to substance misuse and substance use disorder.”
BBH funds the state’s substance use prevention infrastructure through the SAMHSA Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SABG) and discretionary grants. BBH-led prevention publications, including the state’s Prevention Strategic Plan and Prevention Guide, are available at
https://helpandhopewv.org/media.html. Prevention First West Virginia maintains a
statewide listing of Prevention Lead Organizations by region.
For additional information and mental health resources for children and adults, visit
dhhr.wv.gov/bbh. To view and apply for careers in the behavioral health field, visit
dhhr.wv.gov/Pages/Career-Opportunities.aspx.