Kentucky Receives Nearly $17 Million for Mental Health and Addiction Services

FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) — Governor Andy Beshear announced that Kentucky has secured nearly $17 million in federal grants to enhance mental health and addiction recovery services in the state, primarily through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Beshear emphasized the importance of healthcare accessibility, stating, "Healthcare is a basic human right, and my administration is continuing to take action to expand and protect access to these essential services that save lives." He encouraged individuals struggling with mental health or addiction, saying, "It’s OK to not be OK. There is help available, and Team Kentucky will never stop working to make sure you have access to the support you need."

The grants will fund five key projects:

1. **988 Crisis Improvement Project** — $7,391,219: This project will enhance Kentucky’s response capabilities for 988 calls, texts, and chats, focusing on at-risk populations for suicide and overdose.

2. **Early Identification and Treatment for Youth Experiencing Psychosis** — $2.6 million: This initiative aims to identify youth aged 25 and younger at high clinical risk for psychosis, providing support to prevent or mitigate psychotic disorders.

3. **Expansion of Youth Behavioral Health Mobile Crisis Teams** — $3 million: Funding will establish new mobile crisis teams and enhance existing ones to support children, youth, and adults in mental health or addiction crises, shifting responses from law enforcement interventions to behavioral health systems.

4. **Doula Support for Women with Addiction** — $3,238,083: This grant will enhance services for pregnant and postpartum women facing addiction, integrating treatment with maternal mental health support.

5. **School Crisis Response Network** — $600,000: The funding will bolster crisis preparedness in schools across Kentucky, promoting mental health awareness and facilitating care after traumatic events.

Dr. Steven Stack, Secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, stated, "Mental health is just as important as physical health, and devoting more resources to expand access and service capacity for Kentuckians is important. These dollars will help us strengthen our behavioral health capacity within the state, and in turn help more individuals thrive."