Adults with mental illness or substance use disorders smoke cigarettes more than adults without these disorders. While 15.5% of the general population smokes, it is over 40% among those with mental illness and over 63% among those with substance use disorders. While tobacco use has been accepted and supported within behavioral health realms, we now know that quitting smoking decreases anxiety, decreases depression, and gives those in SUD treatment a 25% greater chance of long-term recovery…wow. That is why major mental health organizations in Minnesota recently went tobacco-free and integrated tobacco treatment into their existing services to help them fulfill their missions. Hear from People Incorporated, Mental Health Resources and Avivo about how they made the decision to become tobacco-free, managed challenges along the way, and the benefits they are measuring. Hear stories from people they serve about the impact it has had on them. These organizations share a common geography and overlapping client population in the Twin Cities. While they could be competitors, they became collaborators, knowing they would be stronger together in tackling tobacco. Topics will include strategies to treat tobacco dependence within behavioral health settings, strategies to develop staff readiness to address tobacco, principles of collaboration, and how tobacco-free grounds and internal practices work together to support the mission of behavioral health organizations. Walk away with tools to help you develop delivery systems in your organization. Learn how to join a cohort to advance tobacco initiatives within your own organization.