On this 40th anniversary, SAMHSA commemorates the more than 32 million people, including 700,000 in the United States, who have died from AIDS-related illness globally since the start of the epidemic, and honors the resilience of long-term HIV survivors and the vital role they play within our communities.

This May we celebrate Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to reflect on the diverse history and contributions from our Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities.

The past several years have marked several groundbreaking developments with respect to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-TALK).

One thing we can do to benefit ourselves as a nation is talking with friends, family, and neighbors about underage drinking and adult problem drinking prevention.

National suicide rates are rising, and this is especially true for our nation’s youth suicide rate. Suicide is largely a preventable cause of death, and you are more able to help prevent it than you might think.

As we observe National Minority Health Month, this is a great time to share strategies on how to grow a more diverse and culturally competent behavioral health workforce capable of meeting the needs of our minority populations starting with our youth.