SAMHSA is announcing the availability of up to $47.4 million for Mental Health Awareness Training

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for Mental Health Awareness Training grants (Short Title: MHAT) totaling up to $47.4 million over the next three years.

The purpose of this program is to: (1) train individuals (e.g., school personnel, emergency first responders, law enforcement, veterans, armed services members and their families) to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental disorders, particularly serious mental illness (SMI) and/or serious emotional disturbance (SED); (2) establish linkages with school- and/or community-based mental health agencies to refer individuals with the signs or symptoms of mental illness to appropriate services; (3) train emergency services personnel, veterans, law enforcement, fire department personnel, and others to identify persons with a mental disorder and employ crisis de-escalation techniques; and (4) educate individuals about resources that are available in the community for individuals with a mental disorder.

SAMHSA expects to fund up to 126 grantees with up to $125,000 per year for up to three years.  The actual award amount may vary, depending on the availability of funds. The funding opportunity announcement for this grant is available at: https://www.samhsa.gov/grants/grant-announcements/sm-18-009.

 WHO CAN APPLY:

Eligible applicants are domestic public and private not-for-profit entities.  For example:

  • State governments and territories (the District of Columbia, Guam, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau).
  • Governmental units within political subdivisions of a state, such as a county, city or town (e.g., local education agencies, law enforcement agencies, fire department agencies, emergency medical units).
  • Federally recognized American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) tribes, tribal organizations, Urban Indian Organizations, and consortia of tribes or tribal organizations.
  • Community- and faith-based organizations, including those that serve veterans, armed services personnel, and their families.
  • Public or private universities and colleges.

HOW TO APPLY: All applicants must register with the National Institutes of Health’s electronic Research Administration (eRA) Commons in order to submit an application.  This

process takes up to six weeks.  If you believe you are interested in applying for this opportunity, you MUST start the registration process immediately.  Do not wait to start this process.  If your organization is not registered and you do not have an active eRA Commons PI account by the deadline, the application will not be accepted. Applicants also must register with the System for Award Management at SAM.gov and Grants.gov/.

APPLICATION DUE DATE:  June 8, 2018 by 11:59 pm (Eastern Time).  Applications must be received by the due date and time to be considered for review. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:  Applicants with questions about program issues should contact Nancy Kelly at (240) 276-1839 or MHAT_FOA@samhsa.hhs.gov

For questions on grants management issues contact Gwendolyn Simpson at (240) 276-1408 or FOACMHS@samhsa.hhs.gov.  

For more information, contact the SAMHSA Press Office at 240-276-2130.

Reporters with questions should send inquiries to media@samhsa.hhs.gov.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA’s mission is to lead public health and service delivery efforts that promote mental health, prevent substance misuse, and provide treatments and supports to foster recovery while ensuring equitable access and better outcomes.

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