The investment aims to address the nation’s growing mental health crisis and opioid epidemic.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), announced this week it has awarded $88.7 million in funding towards a wide range of initiatives related to behavioral health, including youth mental health and evidence-based substance use disorder treatments.
“The United States is currently facing an unprecedented mental health crisis, with young people being especially impacted. These grant programs will help all Americans get the support and care they need,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra in a statement. “Making behavioral health services and resources available to all who need them is an important part of President Biden’s Unity Agenda. The Biden-Harris Administration and HHS will continue to do everything in our power to tackle the nation’s mental health crisis.”
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Among the funding, $42.2 million was awarded to Project Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education (Project AWARE), an initiative that aims to help states, territories, and tribes provide school-based mental health programs and services, as well as training for school personnel and other adults on how to better support children who may be struggling with mental health issues.
Grants were also awarded to programs addressing trauma among children, adolescents, and families; employment support for individuals with co-occurring mental and substance use disorders; community transitions among children and adults with serious mental illness; homelessness among youth and families struggling with substance use disorder or mental disorders; training and mentoring on the use of medications to treat opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder; and improved access to overdose treatment services.