Xavier Becerra United States Secretary of Health and Human Services | Official Website
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), announced funding opportunities totaling $27.5 million aimed at improving women’s behavioral health across the United States. This initiative underscores the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to addressing the unique mental health and substance use treatment needs of women.
Additionally, SAMHSA has awarded nearly $1 million in grants as part of the Services Program for Residential Treatment for Pregnant and Postpartum Women.
The funding, made possible by President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, will support women’s behavioral health by expanding access to services and enhancing provider capacity to address mental health conditions, substance use, and gender-based violence. These investments align with the Biden-Harris Administration's efforts to tackle mental health and overdose crises, key components of President Biden's Unity Agenda.
These initiatives also support several other federal strategies, including the White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research, the White House Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis, HHS’ Overdose Prevention Strategy, and the Maternal Mental Health Task Force’s National Strategy to Improve Maternal Mental Health Care.
“Ensuring the mental health and well-being of expectant and new mothers is a top priority for the Department of Health and Human Services,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “By funding community-based maternal behavioral health services, we can offer critical support to women and ultimately invest in America’s families.”
“Women in all stages of life face unique challenges when it comes to mental health and substance use conditions and accessing quality behavioral health care,” said Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D., HHS Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use. “This funding invests in whole person care for women and mothers, addressing issues of access with critically needed resources.”
Available funding opportunities include:
- Community-Based Maternal Behavioral Health Services Program – $15 million: This program aims to improve access to culturally relevant maternal mental health and substance use treatment by strengthening community referral pathways.
- Women’s Behavioral Health Technical Assistance Center – $12.5 million: This program will enhance providers' capacity to address diverse needs related to women's mental health through training, technical assistance, individual consultation, coaching, learning communities, and online educational materials.
For those struggling or in crisis, help is available via call or text at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Additional support can be found at FindSupport.gov or by calling 800-662-HELP (4357).
Reporters with questions should send inquiries to media@samhsa.hhs.gov.
