HHS awards $131.7 million to support behavioral health

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The Department of Health and Human Services, through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), has announced $131.7 million in grant programs for behavioral health services. 

The $131.7 million awarded this month include:

• $5.7 million for planning and developing infrastructure to promote the mental health of children, youth and families in American Indian/Alaska Native communities; 
• $5.5 million for cooperative agreements for school-based trauma-informed support services and mental healthcare for children and youth;
• $2.4 million for Linking Actions for Unmet Needs in Children's Health (Project LAUNCH); 
• $16.4 million for healthy transitions: improving life trajectories for youth and young adults with serious mental disorders program;
• $41.2 million to expand substance abuse treatment capacity in adult and family treatment drug courts; 
• $48.3 million for grants for expansion and sustainability of the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children with Serious Emotional Disturbances (System of Care SOC Expansion and Sustainability); 
• $1.8 million for preventing youth overdose: treatment, recovery, education, awareness and training; 
• $8.7 million for Behavioral Health Partnership for Early Diversion of Adults and Youth; 
• $1.7 million for family counseling and support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex+ youth and their families. 

WHY THIS MATTERS

Tackling the ongoing mental health crisis, particularly among the nation's  youth, is a top priority of the Biden administration and a key pillar in the president's Unity Agenda for the nation, HHS said.

THE LARGER TREND

Opioid use disorder treatment in particular has garnered increased attention as the opioid epidemic affects individuals and the healthcare industry. In September 2022, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded more than $1.6 billion in investments for communities throughout the country to address the addiction and overdose crisis.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, more than 107,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2021, an increase of more than 15% from 2020.

Rapid expansion of telehealth services for mental health conditions at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic helped improve access to care and improved provider ability to meet patient demand, according to a study published in JAMA Health Forum. 

ON THE RECORD

"These grants enhance the overall health and wellness of children, youth and families. They address the full behavioral continuum by meeting people where they are to ensure they get the support and care that they need," said Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D., the HHS assistant secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, and the leader of SAMHSA. "SAMHSA is committed to using its resources to support children, youth and their families to get the help they need to thrive."

Twitter: @SusanJMorse
Email the writer: SMorse@himss.org