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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), recently awarded $232.2 million in grants for suicide prevention and behavioral health care for at-risk communities, including more than $200 million in new funding for states, territories, and Tribal nations and organizations to build local capacity for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and related crisis services. Addressing the nation’s ongoing mental health crisis is a top priority of the Biden-Harris Administration and a key pillar in President Biden’s Unity Agenda for the nation.
“September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. During this month, we are reminded that suicide is preventable, and no one should go through a suicide-related crisis alone,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “The Biden-Harris Administration is deeply committed to tackling the mental health challenges facing America, and particularly focused on addressing the alarming rates of suicide.”
"Our country is facing an unprecedented behavioral health crisis impacting people of all ages," said Deputy Secretary Andrea Palm. "The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to supporting those who are struggling, their families, and everyone impacted by suicide. We have invested in 988, community- and school-based care, expanding our health workforce, and other critical supports. We will continue as long as needed."
SAMHSA’s 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) reported that 4.8% of adults ages 18 or older – about 12.3 million people – had serious thoughts of suicide, and among adolescents ages 12 to 17, 12.7% – about 3.3 million – had serious thoughts of suicide.
Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, and the second-leading cause of death for people ages 10–14 and 25–34 years, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data. CDC provisional data reports that in 2022, 49,449 people died by suicide, an increase of approximately 2.6% from 2021.
“We want everyone to know that there is hope, and there is help. Many people who have attempted suicide or experienced suicidal ideation are thriving in recovery and leading fulfilling lives because they got help,” said Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D., HHS Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use and the leader of SAMHSA. “SAMHSA suicide prevention and behavioral health programs are saving lives and helping people thrive.”
This week HHS awarded $200.7 million in new funding for states, territories, and Tribal nations and organizations to build local capacity for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline:
Additional grants for suicide prevention and behavioral health care for at-risk communities awarded in recent weeks included:
In late August, HHS awarded $1.5 million to the University of Arizona to establish an American Indian and Alaska Native Behavioral Health Center of Excellence to advance the behavioral health equity of American Indians and Alaska Natives. The Center of Excellence is expected to develop and disseminate culturally-informed, evidence-based behavioral health information. It also will provide technical assistance and training on issues related to addressing behavioral health disparities in these communities, which have consistently experienced disparities in access to health care services, funding, and resources; quality and quantity of services; treatment outcomes; and health education and prevention services.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. To learn how to get support for mental health, drug or alcohol issues, visit FindSupport.gov. If you are ready to locate a treatment facility or provider, you can go directly to FindTreatment.gov or call 800-662-HELP (4357).
Reporters with questions should send inquiries to media@samhsa.hhs.gov.
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For general media inquiries, please contact media@hhs.gov.