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Last week, the Biden administration announced it will provide nearly $2.5 billion in funding to states and territories to address the nation’s mental illness and addiction crisis, which has worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirm a rise in fatal overdoses during the pandemic, and this year’s increases in calls to helplines across the country are indicative of growing anxiety, depression, and trauma in Americans.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will direct $1.65 billion in Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant funding and $825 million in Community Mental Health Services Block Grant funding to states and territories.
The Community Mental Health Services Block Grant Program allows states and territories to provide comprehensive community mental health services and address needs and gaps in existing treatment services for those with severe mental health conditions.
The Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant Program allows states and territories to plan, implement, and evaluate activities to prevent and treat substance use disorder. This funding will also allow recipients to maximize efficiency in existing treatment and recovery infrastructure, promote support for providers, and address unique local needs to deliver substance use disorder prevention.
In addition, SAMHSA has awarded $686 million in Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics Expansion Grants, Emergency Grants to Address Mental and Substance Use Disorders During COVID-19, and supplements to fiscal year 2020 Emergency Response COVID-19 grant recipients.
Funding allocation tables are as follows: