HHS awards $383 million in grants for suicide prevention, other behavioral health efforts on 988 Day

The Department of Health and Human Services announced Sept. 8 through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration that it will award $383.4 million in grants to support behavioral health treatment, prevention and crisis response efforts. HHS said $252 million will support the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, suicide prevention and mobile crisis services. Of the remaining grants, $81.4 million will be used toward substance use treatment and prevention initiatives, and $50 million will be used to support mental health services. The Sept. 8 announcement coincided with 988 Day, which raises awareness about the 988 lifeline and the importance of mental health and suicide prevention.