Dear Friend,

As you may know, today is World Mental Health Day. Mental health issues are incredibly common and can affect anyone – no matter who you are. I’ve struggled with anxiety and depression that I’ve managed with therapy and medication. Unfortunately, many mental illnesses still go untreated – in part because of stigma or because care is too hard to access and afford. That’s why all of us need to do more to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, check on our loved ones, and let others know it’s okay to ask for help when they need it. I’m also working at the federal level to enact universal health care, including mental health care, so everyone can get the care they need.

In this month’s federal grant newsletter, here are opportunities available right now related to mental health:

Grants for Expansion and Sustainability of the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children with Serious Emotional Disturbances

This program provides resources to improve mental health outcomes in children from birth through age 21 who are more likely to experience or already have serious emotional disturbances (SED). Applications for FY25 are due February 14, 2025, and you can find more information here or on the SAMHSA website.

Assisted Outpatient Treatment Program for Individuals with Serious Mental Illness

The Assisted Outpatient Treatment Program helps implement and evaluate new programs and identify evidence-based practices to reduce and minimize psychiatric hospitalizations, homelessness, incarcerations, and interactions with the criminal justice system – while improving the health and social outcomes of individuals with a serious mental illness (SMI). Eligibility is limited to states, counties, cities, mental health systems (including state mental health authorities), mental health courts, or any other organization that exists to implement, monitor, and oversee assisted outpatient treatment programs. This grant should go live in December, so please monitor the grants page for more information.

Tribal Behavioral Health

Tribal Behavioral Health aims to prevent and reduce suicidal behavior and substance use and lessen the impact of trauma. The program also promotes mental health among American Indian and Alaska Native youth through age 24 by building systems, services, and partnerships that impact youth. SAMHSA expects this program to serve as a model for community change – integrating a community’s culture, resources, and readiness to address these issues. Applications for FY25 are due March 6, 2025, and you can find more information here and on the SAMHSA website.

You can find up-to-date information on all open federal grants here. This spreadsheet is updated regularly as more grants become available and lists grants related to agriculture; arts and culture; business and commerce; community development; consumer protection; disaster prevention and relief; education; employment, labor, and training; energy; environment; food and nutrition; health; infrastructure; income security and social services; natural resources; opportunity zones; regional development; science, technology, and R&D; transportation; and more.

And don’t forget – my office can also help your grant efforts with a letter of support! Congressional letters of support help show grant reviewers that your project has buy-in from regional stakeholders and make your application more competitive. If you would like to request a letter of support from our office, fill out this form here to send my team all the information about your application.

Warmly,

Sara Jacobs