Page title

Cooperative Agreement for Networking, Certifying, and Training Suicide Prevention Hotlines and Disaster Distress Helpline

Description

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2015 for a Cooperative Agreement for Networking, Certifying, and Training Suicide Prevention Hotlines and a National Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH). The purpose of this program is twofold. First, to manage, enhance, and strengthen the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (referred to as the Lifeline), SAMHSA’s system of toll-free telephone numbers, primarily 1-800-273-TALK (8255) that routes calls from anywhere in the United States to a network of certified local crisis centers that can intervene with, support, and link callers to local emergency, mental health, and social service resources. The technology permits calls to be directed immediately to a suicide prevention worker who is geographically closest to the caller. Second, this cooperative agreement supports the National Disaster Distress Helpline, through the number 1-800-985-5990, which you can call or text to increase state and local capacity to connect affected residents with needed behavioral health services such as crisis counseling and referral services after a disaster and/or traumatic event.

The SAMHSA Lifeline is a 24-hour, confidential suicide prevention hotline and chat network available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. It is available to callers from anywhere in the United States. Callers can call a single toll-free number, primarily 1-800-273-TALK (8255), to be routed to the closest crisis center within the Lifeline’s network of certified local crisis centers that can link callers to local emergency, mental health, and social service resources

The DDH is a free, confidential 24/7 crisis support service that connects residents across the country who are experiencing distress as a result of a disaster and/or traumatic event with a crisis center responder through a sub network of the Lifeline crisis centers. Through the number 1-800-985-5990, which you can call or text, the DDH increases state and local capacity to connect affected residents with needed behavioral health services such as crisis counseling services and referrals after a disaster and/or traumatic event. Counselors provide crisis-counseling support, information on available resources, and provide referrals to local services and supports that are based on the caller’s geographic location.

The DDH initiative is expected to increase and improve public access to crisis intervention services, response to public need during periods of disasters and traumatic events, and to promote a consistent and evidence-informed approach to crisis hotline and text services throughout the network.

The Cooperative Agreement for Networking, Certifying, and Training Suicide Prevention Hotlines and the Disaster Distress Helpline programs seek to address behavioral health disparities among racial and ethnic minorities by encouraging the implementation of strategies to decrease the differences in access, service use and outcomes among the racial and ethnic minority populations served. Several social factors make a person more vulnerable than others in times of disaster. Some include where you live, level of poverty, age, being unemployed or gender (particularly with women supporting children or elderly parents). Following a disaster, it is relatively common for impacted persons to experience anxiety and stress. If these conditions are left untreated, there is increased possibility that the mental health status of these individuals will worsen and the social and economic costs associated with depleted health and lost productivity can increase. (See PART II: Appendix G – Addressing Behavioral Health Disparities.)

The Cooperative Agreement for Networking, Certifying and Training of Suicide Prevention Hotlines and Disaster Distress Helpline grant is authorized under Section 520A of the Public Health Service Act, as amended. This announcement addresses Healthy People 2020 Mental Health and Mental Disorders Topic Area HP 2020-28.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants are domestic public and private nonprofit entities.  For example:

• State and local governments
• Federally recognized American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) tribes and tribal organizations
• Urban Indian organizations
• Public or private universities and colleges
• National, community and faith-based organizations

Tribal organization means the recognized body of any AI/AN tribe; any legally established organization of American Indians/Alaska Natives which is controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by such governing body or which is democratically elected by the adult members of the Indian community to be served by such organization and which includes the maximum participation of American Indians/Alaska Natives in all phases of its activities.  Consortia of tribes or tribal organizations are eligible to apply, but each participating entity must indicate its approval. 

The statutory authority for this program prohibits grants to for-profit agencies.

Award Information

Funding Mechanism: Cooperative Agreement

Anticipated Total Available Funding: $6,211,000

Anticipated Number of Awards: 1

Anticipated Award Amount: $6,211,000

Length of Project: Up to 3 years

Cost Sharing/Match Required?: No

Proposed budgets cannot exceed $6,211,000 per year in total costs (direct and indirect) in any year of the proposed project.  Applicants will be expected to submit one budget. The proposed budget must include a separate column for the use of Lifeline funds not to exceed $5,288,000 and DDH not to exceed $923,000 funds.  Grantees will be expected to track and report the Lifeline and DDH funds separately.

Annual continuation awards will depend on the availability of funds, grantee progress in meeting project goals and objectives, timely submission of required data and reports, and compliance with all terms and conditions of award.