The Outreach Partnership Program is a nationwide initiative of the NIMH with support from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS). The purpose of the program is to enlist national and state organizations in partnerships to help bridge the gap between research and clinical practice by disseminating the latest scientific findings, informing the public about mental disorders, alcoholism, and drug addiction, and reducing the stigma and discrimination associated with these illnesses. The program strives to increase public awareness about the importance of basic and clinical research in improving treatments for, and ultimately curing, mental illnesses and addiction disorders through advancing knowledge about the brain and behavior.

Objectives

The Outreach Partnership Program is a vital element in the broad NIMH outreach effort to deliver science-based information to the public, health professionals, constituency groups, and all interested stakeholders. Through its Outreach Partners and the National Partners the program strives to:

• Disseminate science-based information on mental illnesses, alcoholism, and drug abuse to consumers, families, and policy makers at the state and local level.
• Support the understanding of brain disorders, specifically mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders, and the importance of accurate diagnosis and treatment.
• Reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with mental disorders, alcoholism, and drug addiction.
• Encourage individuals with symptoms of mental disorders, alcoholism, and drug addiction to seek help.
• Eliminate disparities that exist in access to care and health outcomes due to race, culture, age, geographical location, and gender.