HHS Releases Additional $20 Million In Emergency Grants To States For Mental Health Services Following Attacks

On October 29, HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson announced the release of more than $20 million in additional assistance to eight states and the District of Columbia to support critically needed mental health and substance abuse services following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

"The foremost aim of these grants is to ensure that support is available for Americans affected by the Sept. 11 attacks and the ongoing war on terrorism," Secretary Thompson said. "We have moved quickly to release these funds to help meet the enormous human needs for counseling, support, and recovery."

The grants from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) are the second wave of mental health funding made available under the emergency response supplemental appropriation as part of the $5.1 billion in disaster?related funds released by President Bush on Sept. 21. SAMHSA to date has released $27 million in emergency grants.

These awards give the states flexibility to use the funds for substance abuse prevention, addiction treatment and mental health service, training and planning needs that are not being met. States are being requested to focus and prioritize the use of the funds on meeting the special needs of children and adolescents.

"The second wave of grants being made today are another sign of our long-term commitment to helping America's citizens heal," said Joseph H. Autry III, M.D., SAMHSA's acting administrator. "While the dollars may be less than what the states identified as the need for critical services, the impact can be measured in reclaimed health and well?being of many."

The funds were awarded as follows: Connecticut, $850,000; District of Columbia, $800,000; Maryland, $950,000; Massachusetts, $1,150,000; New Jersey, $4,800,000; New York, $8,000,000; Pennsylvania, $1,850,000; Rhode Island, $350,000; and Virginia, $1,500,000.