HHS Awards Millions to Improve Behavioral & Mental Health

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Access to and treatment for mental health issues is has long been a problem for many Latinos. According to a recent study, one in five Americans is believed to have a mental health condition at any given time. However, Latinos receive a lot less psychiatric care overall, including visits to psychiatrists, social workers, and psychologists.

In an effort to combat the growing trend of a lack of access, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) has awarded more than $44 million to increase the number of mental health providers and substance abuse counselors across the country.

A recent announcement from HHS touted that the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) would be funding 144 new and continuing grants through the Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) program. This initiative supports “clinical internships and field placements” for a number occupations.

“The Administration is committed to ensuring that Americans of all ages have access to quality mental health and substance abuse services,” said HHS Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell. “These grants are an important step toward that goal by creating an educational pipeline for future behavioral health providers so people in need can get the care they deserve.”

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As part of this new initiative, nearly $8 million will be used to support 34 new grantees and an additional $36.6 million will fund 110 current grantees.

“In 2015, 55 million adult Americans had a mental or substance use disorder,” said SAMHSA Principal Deputy Administrator Kana Enomoto. “These are serious, often life-threatening conditions, yet fewer than 39 percent of those affected got treatment. We must develop a robust, well-trained behavioral health workforce to ensure the future health of our nation.”