On September 25, 2026, it was announced that Oklahoma tribal nations will receive $31 million in federal grants aimed at mental health and substance abuse prevention through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma will receive the largest portion, totaling $2.2 million, to fund three key initiatives: trauma-informed services in schools, tribal behavioral health substance use prevention, and support for 988 tribal response cooperative agreements.
Read More
Lacey Callahan, behavioral health operations manager for the Choctaw Nation, noted that SAMHSA-funded Project Embrace has historically focused on suicide prevention but is now expanding to include substance use prevention. The federal funds will enable the hiring of a peer recovery support specialist to assist individuals at risk for substance use or mental health issues. Callahan emphasized the impact of having someone with lived experience as a recovery support specialist, which she believes can help reach those in need more effectively.
The Choctaw Nation also received additional federal funding over the summer to enhance its behavioral health infrastructure through Project Aware. This initiative entails hiring a behavioral health therapist, a case manager, and a project director to spearhead an educational summit aimed at equipping educators with crucial knowledge about mental health.
Callahan highlighted the pressing mental health crises among students, stating that early intervention is key to making a meaningful impact on their lives. According to the National Indian Health Board, suicide was the second leading cause of death among American Indians and Alaska Natives aged 10 to 24 in 2022, and it ranked as the eighth leading cause of death for all ages in 2023. These statistics underscore the urgent need for addressing behavioral health challenges within Indigenous communities.
Thirteen tribes in Oklahoma, alongside two organizations—Butterfly Rain New Beginnings Inc. in Tahlequah and Southern Plains Tribal Health Board Foundation in Oklahoma City—received funding from SAMHSA this month. Tasha Mousseau, vice president of the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes and a member of the National Tribal Budget Formulation Workgroup, emphasized the prevalence of suicide and mental health issues in their community, attributing these challenges to factors such as historical trauma and poverty. Her tribe will receive nearly $1 million to support 988 tribal response cooperative agreements, aimed at providing culturally competent care.
The 988 national suicide and crisis hotline offers support for mental health crises, and the funding will improve the capacity of crisis centers in tribal nations. Mousseau encouraged anyone struggling, Native or non-Native, to utilize the 988 helpline, emphasizing that help is always available.
Callahan referred to the 988 resource as a lifeline, promoting the importance of seeking mental health support without stigma. "It's just health; this is for your brain, this is for your well-being, this is for your overall spirit. And it's breaking generational cycles," she stated.