Governor Andy Beshear announces $17 million in federal funding for mental health, addiction services

FRANKFORT, Ky. – On Monday, Governor Andy Beshear announced that his administration has secured nearly $17 million in federal funding through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

According to a release, the grants will support 988 crisis services, youth mental health and addiction recovery.

Projects supported through the grants include:

• 988 Crisis Improvement Project – $7,391,219 to improve Kentucky’s response to all 988 contacts (including calls, chats and texts) originating in the state and bolster service for populations at high risk of suicide and overdose.
• Early identification and treatment for youth experiencing psychosis – $2.6 million to help identify youth and young adults ages 25 and younger who are at clinical high risk for psychosis. The initiative will provide support to prevent the onset of psychosis or lessen the severity of psychotic disorder.
• Expansion of youth behavioral health mobile crisis teams – $3 million to both create and enhance existing mobile crisis teams that serve children, youth and adults experiencing mental health and addiction crises. Through formal partnerships, grantees will divert crisis responses from law enforcement-only to the behavioral health crisis system.
• Doula support for women with addiction – $3,238,083 to strengthen and expand the state’s ability to provide integrated addiction and maternal mental health services for pregnant and postpartum women (PPW) and their families.
• School Crisis Response Network – $600,000 to support schools across Kentucky with crisis preparedness, mental health awareness and connections to care following traumatic events such as disasters, suicide deaths, violence and fatal accidents.

“Healthcare is a basic human right, and my administration is continuing to take action to expand and protect access to these essential services that save lives,” said Gov. Beshear. “To our fellow Kentuckians who are struggling with mental health or addiction, please remember that it’s OK to not be OK. There is help available, and Team Kentucky will never stop working to make sure you have access to the support you need.”