Listed below are links to federal agencies that might be of interest to disaster researchers.

Federal Agencies

National Institute of Mental Health
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is one of 27 components of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Federal government's principal biomedical and behavioral research agency. NIH is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The NIMH mission is to reduce the burden of mental illness and behavioral disorders through research on mind, brain, and behavior. This public health mandate demands that we harness powerful scientific tools to achieve better understanding, treatment, and eventually, prevention of these disabling conditions that affect millions of Americans.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA)
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), was established by an act of Congress in 1992 under Public Law 102-321. With the stroke of a pen, an agency, separate and distinct from the National Institutes of Health or any other agency within the HHS, was created to focus attention, programs, and funding on improving the lives of people with or at risk for mental and substance abuse disorders.

Center for Mental Health Services
CMHS disaster mental health programs are conducted by the Emergency Mental Health and Traumatic Stress Services Branch of the Federal Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS). In partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), this Branch of CMHS is responsible for assessing, promoting, and enhancing the resilience of Americans in times of crisis. The Branch disseminates mental health information about disasters and traumatic events in print and on the Internet.

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The Disaster Technical Assistance Center
Established by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Disaster Technical Assistance Center (DTAC) helps SAMHSA ensure that our Nation is prepared and able to respond rapidly when events increase the need for trauma-related mental health and substance abuse services. The SAMHSA DTAC assists the States and Territories with “all-hazards” disaster response planning. We support collaboration between mental health and substance abuse authorities, Federal agencies, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The SAMHSA DTAC provides consultation to review disaster plans, conducts literature reviews, brokers knowledge and support.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recognized as the lead federal agency for protecting the health and safety of people - at home and abroad, providing credible information to enhance health decisions, and promoting health through strong partnerships. CDC serves as the national focus for developing and applying disease prevention and control, environmental health, and health promotion and education activities designed to improve the health of the people of the United States.

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
NIDA's mission is to lead the Nation in bringing the power of science to bear on drug abuse and addiction. NIDA supports over 85 percent of the world's research on the health aspects of drug abuse and addiction. NIDA supported science addresses the most fundamental and essential questions about drug abuse, ranging from the molecule to managed care, and from DNA to community outreach research.

National Institute of Nursing Research
The National Institute of Nursing Research supports clinical and basic research to establish a scientific basis for the care of individuals across the life span-from management of patients during illness and recovery to the reduction of risks for disease and disability, the promotion of healthy lifestyles, promoting quality of life in those with chronic illness, and care for individuals at the end of life.

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