The Maine Department of Health and Human Services said that the Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services will be renamed to the Office of Behavioral Health.

The name change reflects an evolving understanding of the underlying causes of substance use disorders (SUD) and recognizes that individuals facing SUD often require and benefit from mental health services, according to a news release.

The term "behavioral health" captures this, encompassing a continuum of services ranging from prevention, early intervention, treatment, and crisis care to recovery. It also moves away from the more stigmatizing term "substance abuse," which fails to adequately convey SUD as a medical condition.

The name change will roll out informally this week, through updates to the DHHS website, building signage and other materials. DHHS will work with the Legislature, Secretary of State, and others to formally update contracts, statute, and regulations as needed, with a likely effective date of July 1, 2020.

The Office of Behavioral Health will continue to operate as an Office within DHHS, with no change to the existing organizational structure.

"This new name captures our approach to substance use and mental health disorders," said DHHS Commissioner Jeanne Lambrew, in the release. "They are medical conditions and often intertwined, requiring an integrated system of services to support the health of Maine people facing these challenges."

"The standard classification tool, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, dropped the term 'substance abuse' years ago, now defining substance use as a set of cognitive, behavioral, and physiological symptoms that occurs on a spectrum," said Jessica Pollard, Director of the Office of Behavioral Health. "This new name moves away from imprecise and stigmatizing language and better encompasses our mission to advance behavioral health and wellness for Maine people."

"This is more than simply a name change," said Maine Opioid Response Director Gordon Smith. "It is an important statement attacking the stigma and prejudice that has negatively impacted persons with substance use disorders by categorizing this chronic illness as separate from other chronic illnesses. I heartily endorse this change."

The Office of Behavioral Health oversees a behavioral health continuum of care that serves the whole person and the whole community. Its role is to support Maine people with mental health, substance use, and co-occurring disorders in living not only symptom-free, but with dignity, hope, and meaning. The Office partners with providers, communities, and individuals to offer support, resources, education, training, technical assistance, and services.