Description

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2018 National Center of Excellence for Tobacco-Free Recovery (Short Title: National Center-TFR) grant. The purpose of this program is to establish a national center with specialized subject matter expertise to provide training and technical assistance to states, local governments, tribal communities, behavioral health organizations, primary care providers, clinicians, peers, families, and other stakeholders to help reduce tobacco use among persons with behavioral health disorders, with an emphasis on individuals with serious mental illness and co-occurring disorders¹. The expectation is that the National Center-TFR will build upon and expand SAMHSA’s efforts to increase awareness, disseminate current research, educate behavioral health providers, and create results-oriented collaborations among stakeholder organizations in an effort to reduce tobacco use among individuals with behavioral health disorders.

As overall smoking rates have declined, the prevalence of smoking among people with behavioral health disorders has remained high^2,3. Nearly half (49 percent) of all people with serious mental illness used tobacco in the past year⁴. Although people with behavioral health conditions represent about 25 percent of the U.S. adult population, they account for nearly 40 percent of all cigarettes smoked⁵. This disparity is causing serious health consequences. However, SAMHSA surveys of behavioral health facilities show that most do not provide tobacco cessation counseling.

A growing body of research shows that quitting smoking can improve health and wellness as well as mental health and addiction recovery outcomes. Studies show that quitting smoking can decrease depression, anxiety, and stress⁶. For persons in addiction recovery, smoking cessation can increase long-term abstinence from alcohol and other drugs^7,8.

The National Center-TFR is authorized under Title V, Sec. 1920 (b) of the Public Health Services Act, as amended through P.L. 115-123 (42 U.S. Code 300x–9(b)). This announcement also addresses Healthy People 2020 Mental Health and Mental Health Disorders Topic Area HP 2020-MHMD and Substance Use Topic Area HP 2020-SA.

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¹ For the purpose of this FOA, co-occurring disorder refers to the presence of both a mental and substance use disorder.

² SAMHSA's Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality | Smoking and Mental Illness Among Adults in the United States

³ SAMHSA's Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality | The 2011 NSDUH Report

⁴ SAMHSA's Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality | The 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Detailed Tables (PDF | 35.9 MB)

⁵ SAMHSA's Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality N-MHSS Report | About 1 in 4 Mental Health Treatment Facilities Offered Services to Quit Smoking (PDF | 544 KB)

⁶ The British Medical Journal (BMJ) | Change in Mental Health After Smoking Cessation: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

⁷ Journal of Consultation Clinical Psychology | A Meta-Analysis of Smoking Cessation Interventions with Individuals in Substance Abuse Treatment or Recovery (PDF | 159 KB)

⁸ J Clin Psychiatry | Cigarette Smoking is Associated with Increased Risk of Substance Use Disorder Relapse: A Nationally Representative, Prospective Longitudinal Investigation

Eligibility

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

• Public or private universities and colleges.
• Behavioral health care organizations.
• National stakeholder organizations.

Award Information

Funding Mechanism: Grant

Anticipated Total Available Funding: $1,000,000

Anticipated Number of Awards: One award

Anticipated Award Amount: Up to $1,000,000 per year

Length of Project: Up to 5 years

Cost Sharing/Match Required?: No

Proposed budgets cannot exceed $1,000,000 in total costs (direct and indirect) in any year of the proposed project.  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.