Resources

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration developed this 2019 guide to help public officials communicate effectively during a crisis. The guide includes the following:

• A brief orientation and perspective on the media for public officials, including discussion of how the media thinks and works, and on the public as the end-recipient of information
• Techniques for responding to and cooperating with the media in conveying information and delivering messages before, during, and after a public health crisis
• Tools of the trade of media relations and public communications
• Strategies and tactics for addressing opportunities and challenges that may arise as a consequence of communications initiatives