WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’s (HHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has awarded a total of $96,758,492 to the Ohio State Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services to help Ohio communities grappling with mental health and substance use disorder needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding expansion comes as part of the American Rescue Plan Congress passed in March, which Brown helped write and pass to provide critical assistance for Ohioans.

“Not only has the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated mental health needs as Ohioans have faced increased stress and isolation throughout the past year, it has made it harder than ever for Ohioans with mental health and substance use disorders to get the care that they need,” said Brown. “The American Rescue Plan is providing much-needed relief that will help Ohioans struggling with addiction and other behavioral health challenges.”

The federal funding comes as recent reports show that Ohio experienced more overdose deaths in 2020 than in the previous 14 years, with more than 5,000 Ohioans losing their battle with addiction.

The SAMHSA funding includes:

  • $44,517,241 in Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG) funding to provide comprehensive community mental health services and address needs and gaps in existing treatment services for those with serious mental illness.
  • $52,241,251 in Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (SABG) Block Grant funding to plan, implement and evaluate activities to prevent, treat and help more people recover from substance use disorder. This funding will also allow recipients to make investments in existing prevention, treatment and recovery infrastructure, promote support for providers and address unique local needs to deliver substance use disorder services. 

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