Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announces that the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has awarded New Hampshire a $2 million grant to assist individuals impacted by mental health and substance use disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic. DHHS will use this emergency funding to establish NH Rapid Response, a comprehensive system that will provide crisis intervention services, mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, and other related recovery supports for youth and adults impacted by COVID-19.
“The COVID-19 emergency has affected every resident in New Hampshire,” said Governor Chris Sununu. “We are all feeling a sense of uncertainty right now, and for those with mental illness and substance use disorders, it can be even more challenging. We are grateful for this funding opportunity that will allow us to get more services to more Granite Staters who need our immediate help.”
“While our primary focus during this crisis has been on the physical wellbeing of our residents, we cannot overlook the impact of COVID-19 on those who struggle with mental illness,” said DHHS Commissioner Lori Shibinette. “This funding will allow us to strengthen and enhance our behavioral health services during COVID-19, and we look forward to working with our community mental health centers across the state so that all New Hampshire residents have access to these critical services.”
NH Rapid Response will address the needs of uninsured or underinsured individuals with Serious Mental Illness (SMI), Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED), or SUD through the State’s existing community mental health system, which includes 10 private, non-profit community mental health centers (CMHCs). These CMHCs provide comprehensive, evidence-based mental health and rehabilitation services to people with SMI and SED in regions across the state. The program will also provide crisis services for other individuals in need of behavioral health supports, including health care personnel.
For more information about the emergency grant, please visit https://www.samhsa.gov/grants/