SUMMARY: This program provides funds to tribal governments to respond to prevent and reduce suicidal behavior and substance use, reduce the impact of trauma, and promote mental health among American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth through the age of 24 years by building a healthy network of systems, services, and partnerships that impact youth. SAMHSA expects this program to be a model for community change that integrates a community’s culture, resources, and readiness to address suicide prevention and substance use/misuse among AI/AN youth.
The Tribal Behavioral Health program was designed to focus on the unique needs of federally recognized AI/AN tribes, tribal organizations, Urban Indian organizations, or consortia of tribes or tribal organizations. In regard to AI/AN youth suicide, mental health promotion, mental health promotion, and substance use prevention, the behavioral health challenges include the need for:
- Accessible behavioral health care, grounded in the traditions of each community;
- Transparent, practical crisis protocols that can be implemented in an emergency and include clearly defined follow-up procedures to care for youth at risk;
- Coordination among youth-serving programs in AI/AN communities; and
- Tribal leadership support in reducing suicidal behavior and substance misuse among Native youth up to age 24.
These needs are met through sustained, consistent work that creates change in a community through a public health approach that includes increased adherence to culturally based interventions. The program focuses on laying the necessary groundwork and infrastructure for an effective community behavioral health system, while also developing conditions for lasting change beyond the life of the grant.
DEADLINE: FY2025 deadlines are to be announced.
ELIGIBILITY: Eligible applicants include an Indian tribal government, Urban Indian Organizations, any tribe, band, pueblo, nation, a tribal designee, tribal consortium, or other organized group or community.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: https://www.samhsa.gov/grants/grant-announcements/sm-23-021