The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), has announced funding opportunities totaling $74.4 million for grant programs addressing behavioral health challenges at the community level. The grants aim to prevent substance use initiation, reduce the progression of substance use, and tackle related concerns. This funding aligns with the Biden-Harris Administration’s focus on combating the overdose epidemic and addressing the mental health crisis, key components of the President’s Unity Agenda.
HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra
emphasized the support for community-based behavioral health services, highlighting the administration’s commitment to providing necessary resources for local communities. SAMHSA, led by Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, expressed its dedication to improving access to behavioral health care services through this critical investment.
The announced grant opportunities include:
Grants for Expansion and Sustainability of the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children with Serious Emotional Disturbances (CMHI) – $30.4 million. The program aims to enhance mental health outcomes for children and youth, birth through age 21, at risk for or experiencing serious emotional disturbances, and their families.
Tribal Behavioral Health – $13.1 million. This program focuses on preventing and reducing suicidal behavior, substance use/misuse, overdose, and the impact of trauma among American Indian/Alaska Native youth up to age 24.
Strategic Prevention Framework – Partnerships for Success for States – $15.5 million. This initiative supports states in reducing the onset and progression of substance misuse and related problems by developing and delivering state and community substance misuse prevention and mental health promotion services.
Strategic Prevention Framework – Partnerships for Success for Communities, Local Governments, Universities, Colleges, and Tribes/Tribal Organizations – $15.5 million. This program aids communities, local governments, universities, colleges, and tribes/tribal organizations in reducing the onset and progression of substance misuse and related issues through community-based prevention and mental health promotion services.
These funding opportunities contribute to HHS’s overarching efforts to advance the HHS Overdose Prevention Strategy, addressing prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery. They also support the comprehensive mental health strategy and the National Drug Control Strategy, aligning with President Biden’s Unity Agenda for a holistic government approach to combat the overdose epidemic and address the mental health crisis.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org . To learn how to get support for mental health, drug or alcohol issues, visit FindSupport.gov. If you are ready to locate a treatment facility or provider, you can go directly to FindTreatment.gov or call 800-662-HELP (4357).
Source: U.S Department of Health