West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources Cabinet Secretary Karen L. Bowling today announced the Bureau for Behavioral Health and Health Facilities has been awarded a $3.6 million Garrett Lee Smith State and Tribal Suicide Prevention grant to provide funding specifically for youth suicide prevention programs.
“This funding offers an incredible opportunity for West Virginia to further expand, implement and sustain best practice suicide prevention services and supports, with particular focus on referral to treatment and aftercare,” Bowling said. “I appreciate the hard work of Commissioner Victoria Jones to secure this grant award for West Virginia’s youth and young adults.”
The funding will target West Virginians ages 10-24 and will provide for increased access and availability of services in existing behavioral health centers and a referral system of preferential appointments for youth, subpopulations and their families. It also aims to reduce the number of suicides and attempt survivors and will build the capacity of organizations serving vulnerable sub-populations to effectively deliver coordinated care.
The five year grant is funded through the Garrett Lee Smith (GLS) Memorial Act, and is managed by the Suicide Prevention Branch (SPB) within the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). West Virginia is one of twenty-six states and tribes that now make-up Cohort IX of this national program.
Allison C. Adler ■ DHHR Director of Communications ■ (304) 558-7899 ■ allison.c.adler@wv.gov