Olsen Featured on Public Health On Call Podcast Discussing Current State of SAMHSA

Manatt Health National Advisor was featured on the “Public Health On Call” podcast with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, where she explored the current state of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)—such as its recent funding cuts and administrative challenges—as well as implications for those providing and seeking substance use treatment and mental health services across the country.

As the former director of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment at SAMHSA, Olsen discussed her work at the agency, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, how the agency is currently addressing behavioral health and the country’s substance use disorder issues, and recent changes under a new administration.

She also examined the recent cancellation and reinstatement of $2 billion in grants, highlighting the uncertainty and confusion it caused for families and health care providers, while noting that the agency will continue working to support people with substance use disorders and mental health conditions to the benefit of themselves, their communities and society at large.

View the full podcast episode .

Olsen was also quoted on this topic in various top-tier publications, including , , , , , , and .