North Carolina Awarded Nearly $7M in Federal Grants for Crisis Lifelines and Mental Health Services

RALEIGH, NC — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has been awarded nearly $7 million in federal grants to bolster mental health resources, crisis response teams, and substance use disorder treatments across the state.

Announced Monday by NCDHHS during National Suicide Prevention Month, the funding comes via three separate grants from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

The largest portion—$5.2 million—will directly expand the capacity of the state’s 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The funding aims to help manage rising call, text, and chat volumes, while better integrating 988 with 911 dispatch and local mobile crisis response teams.

“The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a critical resource for someone experiencing a mental health crisis,” said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai. “A recent study showed that almost 88% of people who expressed suicidal thoughts and called 988 credited the service with saving their life.”

The remaining grant funds will target specific community and maternal health initiatives:

• Substance Use & Maternal Health ($1.08 Million): Funds will expand non-residential, evidence-based substance use disorder and maternal mental health treatments for pregnant and postpartum women and their families.

• Mobile Crisis Integration ($750,000): Allocated to enhance Mobile Crisis Teams (MCTs) and improve crisis de-escalation training for magistrates, EMS, and law enforcement.

State officials highlighted that improving magistrate referral pathways to crisis teams can help divert individuals from overcrowded emergency rooms and reduce involuntary commitments.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available 24/7. Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. Spanish-language support is available by calling 988 (press 2) or texting “AYUDA” to 988.

© 2026 CoastalCarolinaNews.com  | Jones Media Partners LLC
No content from this publication may be reproduced, republished, or used for commercial purposes without prior written authorization from Jones Media Partners LLC. For questions or comments call 910.898.2770 or you can reach out via our Contact Page.