Congresswoman Susie Lee Announces Nearly $700,000 in Grant Funding for Southern Nevada to Support Mental Health

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03) announced that $680,262 in funding from the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act is coming to southern Nevada to support mental health. This funding will come to our communities through Mental Health Awareness Training Grants, which provide funding to states, localities, Tribes, and nonprofits to train teachers, first responders, law enforcement officials, veterans, and others to help prevent mental and behavioral issues from escalating. The program helps equip those working with struggling individuals with the resources they need to prevent mental health crises, allowing them to connect those in need to proven, community-based mental health services.

Congresswoman Lee has long been a champion of mental health, and introduced bipartisan legislation last Congress to extend and expand the Mental Health Awareness Training Grant program. Following her efforts, the program was reauthorized in December 2023, allowing for critical resources to continue to reach individuals and communities struggling with mental health crises.

"Long before the pandemic, Nevada faced a mental health crisis – and it's only gotten worse as so many faced isolation," said Congresswoman Susie Lee. "Our community is suffering, and we all need to do our part to get help to those in need. When someone is in crisis, acting quickly to get them support can save a life. This funding will ensure that those working with our students and our veterans have the training, resources, and support they need to support those facing serious mental health challenges."

The Mental Health Awareness Training Grants announced today include:

• $250,000 for the United States Veterans Initiative for mental health awareness training for two populations: 1) U.S.VETS staff serving homeless and at-risk veterans in the Las Vegas and greater Southern Nevada region; and 2) homeless and at-risk veterans residing at U.S.VETS – Las Vegas' transitional housing facility.
• $250,000 for the PACT Coalition for Safe and Drug-Free Communities Teen Mental Health First Aid Program, which will provide mental health awareness training to teenagers in 10th, 11th and 12th grades across Clark County, Nevada. 
• $180,262 in total funding for College of Southern Nevada to assist in training staff members and students to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health disorders, particularly, serious mental illness and/or serious emotional disturbance within the CSN student body population. 

You can read more about the Mental Health Awareness Training Grant funding coming to Nevada here.

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