March 15, 2021

Manchin, Capito Announce $12.4 Million For Mental Health, Substance Abuse Prevention And Treatment Grants In West Virginia

Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $12,407,512 in Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grants (SABG) and Mental Health Block Grants (MHBG) to the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources from the year-end spending package.

“For over a year, West Virginians have adapted to a new way of life, which has isolated many of our fellow West Virginians from their family, friends and loved ones. The pandemic has put additional burdens on many West Virginians struggling with mental health issues and those looking to receive treatment for substance use disorders,” said Senator Manchin. “In December, I fought to include my Crisis Care Improvement and Suicide Prevention Act in the year-end spending package that would increase funding for Mental Health Block Grants by five percent and require states to set aside five percent of the funding for crisis care services including call centers, mobile crisis service and stabilization programs. I will continue to advocate for funding and resources to help combat the drug epidemic and support West Virginians in crisis.”

“It’s important to remember that while we are dealing with the coronavirus, this is not the only health crisis we are battling. With the rise in opioid overdose deaths and substance abuse as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, our country and state is facing an unprecedented level of challenging circumstances. West Virginia has seen more than many other states when it comes to the devastating consequences of a crisis that is affecting families and communities across our state. That’s why I have continued working hard to make sure that we receive the resources we need to fight it. Programs under the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) are essential in this fight. As we continue our battle against COVID-19 and the opioid epidemic simultaneously, I will continue to be a fierce advocate for our state, listen to the issues and experiences that people back home are facing, and deliver the resources we need,” Senator Capito said.

In December 2020, Senator Manchin’s Crisis Care Improvement and Suicide Prevention Act passed in the year-end spending package. The bill provides an increase of $35 million to the MHBG and includes a five percent set aside for evidence-based crisis care programs, such as crisis call centers, mobile crisis services and crisis stabilization programs.

Individual awards listed below:

  • $7,904,019 – Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant
  • $4,503,493 – Mental Health Services Block Grant