Landmark Funding for Women’s Behavioral Health

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), has announced substantial funding opportunities totaling $27.5 million to improve women’s behavioral health nationwide. In addition, nearly $1 million in grant awards have been allocated to two recipients as part of the Services Program for Residential Treatment for Pregnant and Postpartum Women. These initiatives are made possible by the funding from President Biden’s American Rescue Plan.

The aim of this funding is to better identify and address mental health conditions, substance use, and gender-based violence. These are critical steps in advancing the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to tackle the mental health and overdose crises.

These investments align with various strategic initiatives, including the White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research, the White House Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis, HHS’s Overdose Prevention Strategy, and the Maternal Mental Health Task Force’s National Strategy to Improve Maternal Mental Health Care. 

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra emphasized, “Ensuring the mental health and well-being of expectant and new mothers is a top priority for the Department of Health and Human Services. By funding community-based maternal behavioral health services, we can offer critical support to women and ultimately invest in America’s families.”

Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D., HHS Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, and the leader of SAMHSA, added, “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. This funding invests in whole-person care for women and mothers and addresses issues of access and other inequities with critically needed resources.”

Breaking Down Funding Opportunities

1. Community-Based Maternal Behavioral Health Services Program – $15.0 million

This program is designed to enhance access to timely, culturally relevant, and evidence-based treatments for maternal mental health and substance use. By focusing on strengthening community referral pathways and ensuring seamless care transitions, it aims to support pregnant women at risk for or currently experiencing behavioral health conditions during the perinatal and postpartum periods. This approach ensures that women receive the necessary support during one of the most crucial phases of their lives.

2. Women’s Behavioral Health Technical Assistance Center – $12.5 million

This program aims to enhance the capacity of women’s behavioral health providers, general health care providers, and others involved in the holistic care of women. The goal is to address the diverse needs of women with or at risk for mental health and substance use conditions. Through training and technical assistance, the program aims to identify and improve the implementation of evidence-based practices in women’s behavioral health. This includes individual consultation, targeted technical assistance and coaching, learning communities, and online educational materials.

As we move forward, it is crucial to continue building on these foundations. The investments and programs announced this week provide a roadmap for future efforts to address the complex and various needs of women’s behavioral health.