For programmatic or technical questions:
Nancy Kelly
240.276.1839
Nancy.kelly@samhsa.hhs.gov

For grants management or budget questions:
Gwendolyn Simpson
240.276.1408
FOACMHS@samhsa.hhs.gov

The purpose of the Mental Health Awareness Training Grant program is to:

• Train individuals, such as 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)
• 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
• 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
• Educate individuals about resources that are available in the community for individuals with a mental disorder

Additional expectations and required activities are listed in the application instructions.

SAMHSA intends to make an equitable distribution of awards in terms of geography (including urban, rural, and remote settings) and balance among populations of focus and program size.

Eligible applicants include:

• State governments and territories
• Governmental units within political subdivisions of a state, such as a county, city, town, local education agencies, law enforcement agencies, fire departments, and 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

Award ceiling: $125,000 per year
Project period: Up to 3 years
Estimated number of awards: 126
Estimated total program funding: $15,801,221

Links to the full announcement and online application process are available through grants.gov.