The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
(SAMHSA) has begun accepting applications for COVID-19 Emergency
Response Suicide Prevention (COVID-19 ERSP) grants. Last week
SAMHSA announced the shortened turnaround due to the critical
need. The deadline for applications is Friday, May 22,
2020.
As research comes in on how COVID-19 will contribute to the rise
in suicide and/or suicide ideation, SAMHSA will provide funding
with the purpose of supporting states and communities during this
time. The grants will require a minimum of 25 percent of direct
services funding be used to support this population. This must be
clearly identified in the budget narrative and justification. The
grants will fund 50 applicants totaling $40 million. Each
recipient can receive up to $800,000 for 16 months, with no
required match.
Eligible entities include:
State government agencies, including the District of Columbia
and U.S. Territories. The State mental health agency or the State
health agency with mental or behavioral health functions should
be the lead for the ERSP grant.
Community-based primary care or behavioral healthcare
organizations.
Public health agencies.
Community-based service providers able to meet psychiatric
and psychosocial needs of clients including, for example,
shelters for victims of domestic violence, clubhouse-type
facilities.
Emergency departments.
Federally recognized American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN)
tribes, tribal organizations, Urban Indian Organizations, and
consortia of tribes or tribal organizations.
Applicants can find the application and funding announcement,
here.
