The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded nearly $250 million in grants Friday aimed at expanding access to mental health services and addiction treatment across the nation.
The $247.9 million in funds were distributed through HHS’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The projects receiving the highest amount of grant money are Medication-Assisted Treatment – Prescription Drug and Opioid Addiction ($69.4 million); Project AWARE ($54.9 million) National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative – Category III Community Treatment and Service Centers ($41.8 million) and First Responders - Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act ($34.6 million).
Other projects supported by the new funding are:
- Mental Health Awareness Training Grants: $22 million
- Treatment, Recovery and Workforce Support: $10.1 million
- Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention: $8.7 million
- Comprehensive Opioid Recovery Centers: $3.3 million
- Consumer and Consumer Support Technical Assistance Center: $1.7 million
- Recovery Community Services Program $1.4 million
SAMHSA Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Christopher Carroll said in a statement that the funding will “help communities reach people at critical moments.”
“With more tools and resources, communities can better connect people to care when they need it and support them on the path to recovery,” Carroll said.
It’s the latest in behavioral and mental health initiatives funding in recent months from the agency.
HHS awarded $383.4 million in behavioral health grants in early September, $252 million of which will support the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, suicide prevention and mobile crisis services. In August, the agency announced $77 million in grants for substance abuse treatment and prevention and $96.7 million for behavioral health services and initiatives.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. also announced more than $700 million in newly opened funding opportunities for services related to mental illness, addiction and homelessness in June.
“HHS is investing nearly $250 million to put lifesaving treatment and recovery services directly into communities across America,” Kennedy said in a statement. “Through President Trump’s Great American Recovery, we are expanding addiction treatment, preventing fatal overdoses, helping children and families heal from trauma, and giving Americans in recovery the support they need to rebuild their lives. We are equipping communities with proven tools that save lives and help people recover.”