Introduction to SAMHSA Data

A brief overview of the session will be provided.  SAMHSA data will be briefly described including the type of data, key variables of interest, and unique characteristics of the data.  Following will be a demonstration of the access portal for locating SAMHSA reports developed using these data.  SAMHSA publishes several report types each year including annual reports of data collection, and topical short reports and spotlights focused on key public health issues.  Short reports are 4-8 page reports, while spotlights represent a single page and usually single data point of interest to the public.  These reports span health services including access issues, as well as epidemiology of behavioral health, often focusing on a particular demographic group.  Fifty  to seventy of these reports are developed each year and serve as an important tool for policy makers, researchers and program experts for use in their work.  This portion of the this training will focus on identifying and locating those reports.  Partipants will also consider next steps in these analyses and consider the availability of data to answer those next questions.  The course will also provide an overview of data reviews, which represent examinations of topics using multiple data sources to more fully explore an issue.  Following this exploration of existing data analyses the next portion of the LI will focus on developing new data points using the same data.