SAMHSA Awards $17.8 Million in Funding for Mental Health Awareness Training

SAMHSA has released 145 grant awards totaling $17.8 million to help communities increase mental health awareness among individuals who interact with people who are experiencing or exhibiting symptoms of a mental health disorder and refer them to appropriate services. Each grant recipient will receive up to $125,000 for the first year of this five-year grant program.

SAMHSA's Mental Health Awareness Training grant program will train school personnel, emergency first responders, law enforcement, veterans, armed services members and their families to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health disorders, particularly serious mental illness and/or serious emotional disturbances, to respond safely and appropriately. Participants will also learn about the available resources in their community that they might share with those individuals with whom they interact.