Statement from National Council for Mental Wellbeing President and CEO Chuck Ingoglia on New Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Grants

On July 7, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) awarded 100 grants enabling clinics to implement or expand the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model – an initiative designed to expand access to comprehensive mental health and substance use treatment. With this latest round of grant funding, in addition to awards announced in February of this year, there are now 431 CCBHCs across the country – a 92% increase from the start of 2021. National Council for Mental Wellbeing President and CEO Chuck Ingoglia today released the following statement.

“CCBHCs increase access to vital, evidence-based substance use and mental health treatment services, including 24/7 crisis care. The clinics receiving this funding have made a bold commitment to transform their services to better meet the needs of their communities. We thank Congress and SAMHSA for their support and recognition of the value Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics provide – particularly for vulnerable individuals – and look forward to continuing our work to ensure every mental health and substance use treatment organization has the option of becoming a CCBHC.”

A recent survey of CCBHCs conducted by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing found clinics on average serve 17% more people after becoming a CCBHC, while offering more comprehensive treatment options and enhanced partnerships with hospitals and law enforcement. CCBHCs serve an estimated 1.5 million people across the country and participating clinics have hired an estimated 9,000 new staff positions as a result of adopting the model.

To learn more about how the innovative CCBHC model increases access to mental health and substance use treatment, visit the National Council’s CCBHC Success Center.

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Founded in 1969, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing is a membership organization that drives policy and social change on behalf of nearly 3,500 mental health and substance use treatment organizations and the more than 10 million children, adults and families they serve. We advocate for policies to ensure equitable access to high-quality services. We build the capacity of mental health and substance use treatment organizations. And we promote greater understanding of mental wellbeing as a core component of comprehensive health and health care. Through our Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) program, we have trained more than 2.5 million people in the U.S. to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges.