U.S. Sens. Collins, King announce nearly $5M for substance use and mental health disorders support

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine and Angus King, I-Maine announced that 17 community health centers in Maine will receive a total of $4,980,138 through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Expanding Access to Quality Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Services (SUD-MH) awards. This funding will better equip health centers to help individuals and families overcome substance use disorders and improve mental health.

Among the funding recipients is the Katahdin Valley Health Center in Patten, which has a location in Brownville, and the center will receive $285,000; and Sebasticook Family Doctors in Newport, which has locations in Dexter and Dover-Foxcroft, and the organization will receive $285,000.

“The opioid epidemic has already harmed far too many families and communities in Maine and throughout the country” said U.S. Sens. Collins and King in a joint statement. “Community health centers are on the front lines in fighting this epidemic. We are pleased that this funding will support their mission to help those struggling with addiction and other mental health disorders.”

The purpose of SUD-MH funding is to support health centers in implementing and advancing evidence-based strategies to expand access to quality integrated substance use disorder prevention and treatment services, including those addressing opioid use disorder, to best meet the health needs of the population served by the health center and expand access to quality integrated mental health services, with a focus on conditions that increase risk for, or co-occur with substance use disorder.