University of Maryland Extension Receives $580,000 SAMHSA Grant to Expand Mental Health Training in Maryland
The University of Maryland Extension (UME) has been awarded a $580,000 grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). This funding, secured by Dr. Alexander Chan, a mental health specialist with UME, is designated to enhance mental health awareness, literacy, and crisis response training across Maryland until September 2029. The initiative will build upon UME’s existing Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) programs. The goal is to equip community members with essential skills to identify signs and symptoms of mental illness, safely de-escalate crisis situations, recognize community resources, and connect individuals with appropriate mental health services. The training focuses on four key objectives: recognizing mental health challenges, safely responding to crises, identifying community resources, and connecting individuals with care. This effort comes at a critical time, as the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health indicated th...