Mental Health Funding in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act
INSIGHTi
Mental Health Funding in the Bipartisan Safer
Communities Act
July 20, 2022
On June 25, 2022, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA; P.L. 117-159) was signed into law. In
addition to provisions addressing firearms, education, and Medicaid, the act included appropriations for
several existing mental health-related grant programs. Division B, Title II of the act appropriated $800
million to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) within the
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)—the federal agency primarily responsible for
supporting community or school-based mental health treatment and prevention services. SAMHSA
provides funding to states, local communities, and service providers through block grants and other
formula and competitive grants. For more information on SAMHSA, see CRS Report R46426, Substance
Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Overview of the Agency and Major
Programs.
SAMHSA Grant Funding in the BSCA
Division B, Title II of the BSCA appropriated funding to several existing mental health-related grant
programs administered by SAMHSA. The BSCA specified amounts to remain available for each of
FY2022 through FY2025. Information on eligibility for these grant programs can be found on
SAMHSA’s grants webpage. Prior grant awards can be found on SAMHSA’s grant archive. SAMHSA
also publishes a map of grant awards by state.
Community Mental Health Services Block Grant
The Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG) is one of SAMHSA’s largest grant
programs. Authorized under Title XIX of the Public Health Service Act (PHSA; 42 U.S.C. 300x), the
MHBG supports community mental health services for adults and children. SAMHSA distributes MHBG
funds to states (including the District of Columbia and certain territories) according to a formula specified
in statute. Each state may distribute MHBG funds to local government entities and nongovernmental
organizations to provide community mental health services for adults and children in accordance with the
state’s plan. States have flexibility in the use of MHBG funds within the framework of the state plan and
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federal requirements. More information on SAMHSA’s MHBG, including amounts provided to each state
annually, can be found on SAMHSA’s block grant webpage.
The BSCA appropriated $250 million for the MHBG.
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network was established in 2000 as part of the National Child
Traumatic Stress Initiative to improve behavioral health services for children exposed to traumatic events.
Authorized under Title V of the PHSA (42 U.S.C. 290hh-1), the grant program supports the development
and promotion of effective trauma-informed practices, mostly through information and trainings provided
by a network of centers.
The BSCA appropriated $40 million for the National Traumatic Stress Network.
Project AWARE
Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resilience in Education) provides competitive grants designed
to identify children and youth in need of mental health services, increase access to mental health
treatment, and promote mental health literacy among teachers and school personnel. The grants are
available to states and other eligible entities.
Project AWARE State grantees use funds to train teachers and other school personnel on mental health
awareness and how to connect school-aged youth to needed services. Other activities may include school-
based mental health and wellness programs and implementation of evidence-based mental health
interventions, among others.
The ReCAST (Resiliency in Communities After Stress and Trauma) program within Project AWARE
consists of competitive grants for communities that have recently faced civil unrest or trauma. The
purpose of the ReCAST program is to assist high-risk youth and families by promoting resilience through
evidence-based violence prevention and youth engagement programs, as well as through linkages to
trauma-informed behavioral health services.
Project AWARE is carried out under SAMHSA’s general authorities in Title V of the PHSA (42 U.S.C.
290bb-32). For more information on federal programs that support school safety and security, see CRS
Report R46872, Federal Support for School Safety and Security.
The BSCA appropriated $240 million for Project AWARE, including $28 million
specifically for activities authorized in Section 7134 of the SUPPORT for Patients and
Communities Act (P.L. 115-271).
Mental Health Awareness Training
The Mental Health Awareness Training (MHAT) program provides training to school personnel and other
professionals on how to recognize a mental illness, provide initial help in a mental health crisis, and
connect students to appropriate care. The MHAT training program—known as Mental Health First Aid—
is structured similarly to standard first aid training: an eight-hour course that instructs participants in how
to identify, understand, and respond to the signs of a mental health crisis. SAMHSA partners with the
National Council for Mental Wellbeing to administer the MHAT grants. Originally part of Project
AWARE, the MHAT program received its own authorization in Section 9010 of The 21st Century Cures
Act (P.L. 114-255; 42 U.S.C. 290bb-41).
The BSCA appropriated $120 million for the MHAT program.
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National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (now known as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) is a national
hotline providing immediate crisis counseling and referral services for individuals experiencing suicidal
thoughts or other mental distress. Individuals experiencing a mental health crisis or suicidal ideation who
call the Lifeline are routed to local call centers staffed by trained crisis workers. Call center staff are
equipped to counsel callers, provide local referrals for follow-up treatment, or access resources to
dispatch local emergency personnel. In operation since 2005, the Lifeline is partially supported through
federal funding administered by SAMHSA, with call centers relying on state funding and other sources
for operational costs. The Lifeline is authorized in Section 520E-3 of the Public Health Service Act (42
U.S.C. 290bb-36c).
On July 16, 2022, the National Suicide Lifeline transitioned from a 10-digit number (1-800-273-8255) to
the 3-digit 9-8-8 hotline. In anticipation of increased call volume after the transition to 988, Congress
appropriated additional funds for suicide prevention and the Lifeline to increase call center capacity and
improve call response rates.
The BSCA appropriated $150 million for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for
FY2022.
Author Information
Johnathan H. Duff
Analyst in Health Policy
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