HHS awards $383M for behavioral health programs

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced Sept. 8 that it is awarding $383.4 million in grants to strengthen behavioral health treatment, prevention and crisis response services nationwide, including $252 million for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, suicide prevention and mobile crisis programs. HHS made the announcement on 988 Day — a national initiative dedicated to raising awareness about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and emphasizing the importance of mental health and suicide prevention. The awards include nearly $206 million to help states and territories strengthen local responses to 988 calls, texts and chats, along with funding for tribal response programs and community‐based mobile crisis teams. The funding will also support such programs as the National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative, Promoting the Integration of Primary and Behavioral Healthcare and Trauma‐Informed Services in Schools.