SAMHSA 2014 National Strategy Grants for Suicide Prevention

The purpose of this program is to support states in implementing the 2012 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (NSSP) goals and objectives focused on preventing suicide and suicide attempts among working-age adults 25-64 years old in order to reduce the overall suicide rate and number of suicides in the U.S. nationally.

The Mental Health Authority within states and territories are uniquely positioned and have the necessary statewide infrastructure in place to promote suicide prevention as a core component of health care services and to coordinate the required activities, including convening all other relevant state agencies to advise and/or participate in the initiative.

While youths have the highest rates of suicide attempts, middle aged adults have the highest number of deaths by suicide nationwide. Between 1999-2010 suicides among adults aged 35-64 increased by 28% (CDC MMWR, 62[17]: 321-325). Suicide is also the 2nd leading cause of death among adults 25-34 (CDC WISQARS Fatal Injury Data, 10 Leading Causes of Death Reports, 1999-2010). In 2010 more than 70 percent of the suicides in the U.S. took place among adults between ages 25-64 (CDC Fatal Injury Data, 1999-2010 US Suicide Deaths). The nation’s suicide prevention efforts must address the issues of suicidal thoughts, plans, attempts, and deaths among adults to accomplish the goal of turning around the growth in deaths by suicide, and actually reducing that number significantly over the next few years.

SAMHSA has demonstrated that behavioral health is essential to health, prevention works, treatment is effective, and people recover from mental and substance use disorders. Behavioral health services can improve health status and can reduce health care and other costs to society. Continued improvement in the delivery and financing of prevention, treatment and recovery support services provides a cost effective opportunity to advance and protect the nation’s health. To continue to improve the delivery and financing of prevention, treatment and recovery support services, SAMHSA has identified eight Strategic Initiatives to focus the Agency’s work on improving lives and capitalizing on emerging opportunities. The National Strategy grants closely align with SAMHSA’s Prevention of Substance Abuse and Mental Illness Strategic Initiative and Health Reform as well as the expected impact on behavioral health disparities. (See Appendix I: Addressing Behavioral Health Disparities). More information on SAMHSA’s Strategic Initiatives is available at the SAMHSA website: http://beta.samhsa.gov/about-us.

National Strategy Grants are one of SAMHSA’s services grant programs. SAMHSA intends that its services grants result in the delivery of services as soon as possible after award. Service delivery should begin by the 4th month of the project at the latest.

National Strategy grants are authorized under section 520A of the Public Health Service Act, as amended. This program is financed by the 2014 Prevention and Public Health Funds (PPHF-2014). This announcement addresses Healthy People 2020 Mental Health and Mental Disorders Topic Area HP 2020-MHMD and/or Substance Abuse Topic Area HP 2020-SA.