WASHINGTON (WDNews) — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced $77 million in new grant funding aimed at strengthening substance use prevention and treatment, mental health care, suicide prevention and crisis services across the country.
According to HHS, the funding is being awarded through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. More than $22 million will go specifically toward substance use prevention efforts in states, tribes and communities.
“Every American deserves the chance to live free from addiction and the devastation of untreated mental illness,” HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said. “President Trump’s Great American Recovery is taking on these crises at their roots. We are investing in prevention, expanding access to effective treatment, strengthening crisis response, and helping communities intervene before tragedy strikes. Our goal is clear: save lives, restore families, and help more Americans achieve lasting recovery and better health.”
The grants include $22.2 million for substance use prevention and $23.6 million for treatment and recovery programs.
Another $21.8 million will support community mental health programs. That includes efforts addressing behavioral health and community safety, childhood trauma and the mental health needs of infants and young children.
HHS is also awarding $9.4 million for suicide prevention and crisis services. Of that, $7.5 million will support follow-up programs through 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline centers.
The programs are intended to provide continued support after someone contacts 988, improve connections to treatment and recovery services and help prevent future crises.
“Prevention is the foundation of a strong behavioral health system,” SAMHSA Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Christopher D. Carroll said. “More than $22 million of these awards will help states, tribes, and communities prevent substance use and strengthen the protective factors that we know help people thrive. At the same time, these investments strengthen treatment and recovery, community behavioral health, suicide prevention, and crisis services so people can get the support they need when they need it.”
The funding also includes $5.3 million to expand substance use disorder and maternal mental health services for pregnant and postpartum women and their families.
Anyone experiencing a mental health, suicide or substance use crisis can call or text 988 for help. Treatment providers and facilities can also be located through the federal FindTreatment service.
