The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Announces $6.2 million in Suicide Prevention Grants to Colleges and Universities

On Monday, August 1st, SAMHSA announced grants to 21 colleges and universities for suicide prevention initiatives on their campuses. Most of these funds are authorized through the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act. Five grants were awarded though the Affordable Care Act Prevention Fund. Those five grantees were eligible to received $306,000 to be used over three years.

Funds made available under the Campus Suicide Prevention Program can be used for various education and outreach activities.

Senator Jack Reed and his colleagues, original co‐sponsors, Senators Murkowski, Durbin, and Tom Udall recently introduced the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act Reauthorization of 2011. This legislation would expand the uses of funds under the Campus Suicide Prevention program to enable counseling centers to best serve students as well as extend the other program authorized under the Act.

Please visit SAMHSA for a full listing of all grantees.