The mental health crisis among young people is a stark reality that cannot be ignored. Recent research shows that 1 in 5 children and adolescents between the ages of 3 - 17 have at least 1 developmental, emotional, mental, or behavioral disorder. Particularly concerning is the sharp rise in suicidal behaviors among high school students, which surged by an alarming 40% from 2009 to 2019. This trend underscores the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address mental health challenges in youth.
The impact of poor mental health in schools extends far beyond just the student who’s struggling. This crisis affects other students, faculty, administrators, school counselors, and staff members. Teachers today already face unprecedented levels of stress, and depression and burnout rates across the profession have never been higher. Some studies suggest as many as 74% of teachers experience teacher burnout, up to 87% are stressed, and as many as 77% are depressed.
There’s a dire need for teacher and student mental health support in schools, and that need will only continue to grow. Thus, schools must prioritize making resources available to combat these challenges. Of course, this takes money, and grants for mental health in schools can become a roadmap for creating programs, support, and initiatives that make a difference.
Learn more about how grant funding for mental health in schools can help. Discover the best grants you should try to get for your school.
The role of grants in supporting mental health initiatives
Grants for mental health services in schools are critical today. They finance essential programs that provide direct support to students, faculty, and staff. At a time when many schools face substantial funding deficits, these grants offer indispensable aid, helping educational institutions maintain and enhance essential mental health services.
When used appropriately, grants for school mental health programs can provide supplemental funds that are vital in supporting underfunded or inaccessible programs. Grant money means new initiatives can begin, or existing programs can be expanded or revamped.
Mental health grants for public schools or private institutions can help pay for:
- Hiring mental health professionals
- Creating and launching awareness campaigns
- Establishing student support groups
- Training faculty and staff to identify red flags
- Implementing early intervention programs
- Investing in professional development for teachers
- Connecting at-risk students with critical resources
6 Grants to help fund mental health programs in schools
There are countless grants for mental health programs in schools. From private foundation awards to federal initiatives, funding opportunities from the following grants can offer a lifeline for so many students.
The funds received can help you enhance mental health services in your school and greater school district and create a healthier, happier, safer environment for everyone.
1. Project AWARE
Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education) is a SAMHSA federally funded grant for mental health in schools that creates long-term infrastructure to support school-based services and programs. Schools participating in the program can collaborate with agencies like the State Education Agency, Local and Tribal Education Agencies, State Mental Health Agencies, and other community organizations.
Behavioral healthcare providers, families, school staff, and students all play roles in the program, which strives to promote awareness, implement effective prevention and intervention, teach resilience-building strategies, and ensure students have access to crucial care.
Eligibility criteria
Applicants eligible to apply for a Project AWARE grant include:
- Eligible applicants are in the states and U.S. Territories, including the District of Columbia
- Political subdivisions of States, I.E. counties and Local Education Agencies (LEAs)
- Indian tribes or tribal organizations, as defined in section 5304 of Title 25
- Health facilities or programs operated by or under contract with the Indian Health Service
- Other public or private non-profit entities
Application process
Applicants of SAMHSA grants must follow a step-by-step process that begins with registering on Grants.gov. More information can be found on the SAMHSA Application Forms and Resources page.
2. GLS Campus Suicide Prevention Grant
The GLS Campus Suicide Prevention Grant Program aims to implement an evidence-based strategy that will enhance mental health services for college students — particularly those who are vulnerable to suicide, depression, severe mental health conditions, emotional disturbances, or substance use disorders that might have a negative impact on academic success.
The grant can be used to prevent or reduce these issues and encourages help-seeking behaviors while fighting against stigma.
Eligibility criteria
The GLS Campus Suicide Prevention Grant Program is available for higher education private and public non-profit institutions.
3. State funding for school mental health programs
In addition to federal grants, many states also offer state-level funding for mental health in schools to help address challenges. State-level grants are often tailored to meet the specific needs of local demographics, ensuring the most essential mental health services are appropriately offered and widely available to students in the area.
Tips for identifying and applying for state grants for mental health support:
- Regularly check your state education or health department website for announcements about grants for mental health services in schools
- Carefully review specific requirements and deadlines for any mental health school grant you’re interested in
- Consider hiring or consulting with a dedicated grant writer for the best chance of being awarded money
4. DOE mental health grants
The Department of Education (DOE) offers several grants for school mental health services.
DOE grants can support things like:
- Hiring mental health professionals
- Training school counselors
- Finding on-site psychologists
- Employing social workers
- Funding initiatives that promote mental health awareness and education efforts
Schools often use DOE grants to increase the number of mental health professionals available to students, faculty, and staff. These trained and qualified experts allow schools to offer timely, effective, and appropriate mental health services to the most vulnerable members of school communities.
5. School safety grants for mental health programs
School safety grants are often designed to address violence prevention and enhance security on school premises. However, they may also provide funding for targeted mental health initiatives. These grants acknowledge the crucial connection between fostering a secure school environment—where both students and staff feel safe—and promoting overall mental well-being.
Application process
You can search for school safety grants by using SchoolSafety.gov’s Grant Finder tool. You can also look for state-specific grants your local state Board of Education might offer. The funds awarded can be used in part for mental health initiatives like offering mental health screenings, creating crisis intervention programs, and providing staff training to identify at-risk youth.
6. Private foundation grants for mental health programs
Private foundations — like the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Ford Foundation — offer mental health initiative grants for schools. Grants typically focus on systemic change in the long term. They can provide schools with desperately needed resources to create effective and sustainable mental health programs.
For schools seeking private foundation funding, it’s important to build a relationship with any organizations of interest. Developing proposals will be a significant part of the process, and they should express how schools align with a foundation’s mission and goals.
How schools can maximize the impact of mental health grants
Mental health grant money can be a game-changer for your school, but to get the most impact, you must use the money wisely to create comprehensive programs that positively address your school’s diverse needs. This means allocating funds toward the areas of greatest need, which requires first assessing student mental health across your school.
Grants for mental health in schools are transformative, enabling the hiring of experienced professionals, training faculty and staff to recognize and address mental health issues, and developing resources to bolster student wellness initiatives.
Partnering with community resources and local mental health agencies can enhance the impact of your grant funding. By doing so, you can build a supportive and sustainable environment that promotes long-term mental well-being for everyone in your school community.
Funding mental health initiatives for better student outcomes
Research indicates that poor mental health can lead to lower academic performance, underscoring the need for proactive mental and emotional support in schools. Additionally, addressing mental health through school initiatives can decrease chronic absenteeism in students, as studies link poor mental health to higher absence rates. Enhancing mental health support not only boosts student engagement but also mitigates the negative impacts of absenteeism on learning outcomes.
Schools and districts looking to make lasting mental health improvements might want to consider connecting with reputable, professional resources like Talkspace, an online mental health platform that makes getting help affordable, accessible, and convenient. Using grant money to partner with Talkspace can be a powerful way to drive change in your school. Improving school mental health services by providing access to experienced, trusted, trained professionals can make all the difference.
Request a demo today to learn more about how Talkspace can help you change mental health in your school.
Sources:
- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US). 2022. “CHILD AND ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH.” 2022 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report - NCBI Bookshelf. October 1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK587174/. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK587174/. Accessed October 12, 2024.
- Agyapong, Belinda, Gloria Obuobi-Donkor, Lisa Burback, and Yifeng Wei. 2022. “Stress, Burnout, Anxiety and Depression among Teachers: A Scoping Review.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 19 (17): 10706. doi:10.3390/ijerph191710706. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9518388/. Accessed October 12, 2024.
- “Home | Grants.Gov.” n.d. https://grants.gov/. Accessed October 12, 2024.
- “Application Forms and Resources.” n.d. https://www.samhsa.gov/grants/how-to-apply/forms-and-resources. Accessed October 12, 2024.
- “SchoolSafety.Gov.” n.d. SchoolSafety.Gov. https://www.schoolsafety.gov/grants-finder-tool. Accessed October 12, 2024
- “Healthy Schools Research.” n.d. RWJF. https://www.rwjf.org/en/insights/our-research/2017/09/healthy-schools-research.html. Accessed October 12, 2024.
- Ford Foundation. n.d. “Grants – Ford Foundation.” Ford Foundation. https://www.fordfoundation.org/work/our-grants/awarded-grants/grants-database/?grant_subject%5B%5D=education-and-scholarship&search=mental+health. Accessed October 12, 2024.