WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is distributing $73.2 million in federal grants to expand children’s mental health services, strengthen suicide prevention efforts and increase assisted outpatient treatment programs for adults with serious mental illness.
The funding targets three evidence-based initiatives intended to improve access to behavioral health care and intervene before mental health crises escalate, the agency said.
The largest share, $44.3 million, will support the Children’s Mental Health Initiative, which provides community-based mental health services for children, adolescents and young adults from birth through age 21 who have serious emotional disturbances. The program also supports efforts to identify at-risk children and provide services to their families.
SAMHSA is allocating an additional $17.6 million to health systems implementing the Zero Suicide framework, an evidence-based approach designed to reduce suicide among adults receiving health care.
The remaining $11.2 million will fund Assisted Outpatient Treatment programs for adults with serious mental illness. According to SAMHSA, the awards support implementation of President Donald Trump’s executive order, Ending Crime and Disorder on America’s Streets.
“Americans deserve a mental health system that delivers results,” HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated. “These investments will expand access to effective treatment, strengthen suicide prevention, and help communities care for people before a crisis becomes a tragedy.”
SAMHSA Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Christopher D. Carroll said the grants are intended to help communities expand access to proven mental health services.
“Far too many Americans, including children, are affected by mental illness and the risk of suicide, but we also know that getting better is possible and that effective treatments and proven programs can change lives,” Carroll stated.
The agency said the grants support its broader effort to reduce the impact of mental illness and substance use disorders by investing in programs intended to improve recovery, expand access to care and improve behavioral health outcomes.
People experiencing a mental health crisis or suicidal thoughts can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or visit 988lifeline.org. Information on treatment providers is available at FindTreatment.gov.
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