WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins, a member of the Senate Health Committee, and Angus King announced Wednesday the Maine Department of Health and Human Services has been awarded a total of $9,772,660 to support mental health and substance use programs throughout the state.

This funding, awarded through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), was allocated through the December COVID-19 relief package.

“No community is immune from these heartbreaking disorders that have taken a toll on far too many of our peers, friends, and neighbors,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “This critical funding will give Mainers who are struggling with mental health and substance use disorders access to the treatment programs they need to achieve recovery and healing.”

The funding, totaling $9,772,660, was allocated as follows:

$6,530,972 was awarded through the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant program to plan, implement, and evaluate activities that prevent and treat substance use and promote public health.

$3,241,688 was awarded through the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant program to provide comprehensive, community-based mental health services to adults with serious mental illnesses and to children with serious emotional disturbances. The funding will also be used to monitor progress in implementing a comprehensive, community-based mental health system.

SAMHSA operates a 24/7, national helpline that people can call to find treatment referral resources for mental health or substance use disorders: 1-800-662-HELP (4357).