Five Million People in U.S. Trained in Mental Health First Aid
Published:July 8, 2026
SAMHSA Funding Opportunities Now Available to Support Further Access to MHFA
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 8, 2026) — The National Council for Mental Wellbeing today announced that Mental Health First Aid has reached a historic milestone: 5 million people trained across the United States
The achievement reflects the growing commitment to improve access to evidence-based programs and follows an announcement from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) that three new funding opportunities are available to support more education and training. SAMHSA has released applications for Project AWARE, Mental Health Awareness (MHAT) and Trauma-Informed Support Services (TISS) grants
“These federal grants provide the reprograms, including Mental Health First Aid, and continue efforts to increase the number of people able to recognize the signs and symptoms of a mental health or substance use crisis,” National Council President and CEO Chuck Ingoglia said
The National Council brought Mental Health First Aid to the U.S. in 2008 and has continued to expand the program’s reach, helping bring practical mental health and substance use response skills to more people and communities each year. Today, the evidence-based, early intervention program offers a variety of courses to meet the needs of different audiences and settings, including adults, youth-serving adults, teens, public safety professionals, higher education communities, workplaces, older adults and more.
New funding opportunities will provide organizations with the re
“This moment reflects the growing recognition that conversations about mental health support belong in every community,” said Tramaine EL-Amin, vice president of Mental Health First Aid. “When people have the skills to recognize and respond to mental health and substance use challenges, they can make a meaningful difference in the lives of their families, workplaces and communities.”
Now that SAMHSA has announced these funding opportunities, the National Council will support members and other mental health and substance use advocates by helping them navigate the application process so they can get access to this critical funding for the communities they serve. The funding opportunities announced by SAMHSA include:
Available Funding:$55,768,191Deadline:July 27, 2026Among the three funding opportunities, this is the biggest pool of funding available. As schools and communities increase investments in student mental health, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing is highlighting the Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education) grant program as a timely opportunity to expand Mental Health First Aid. Project AWARE supports the development of sustainable, school-based mental health infrastructure through partnerships among education leaders, mental health providers, community organizations, families and youth.According to SAMHSA, Project AWARE has already helped nearly 1.4 million mental health professionals, first responders, teachers, school staff, administrators, families and community members participate in mental health-related training.
MHAT
Available Funding: $22,045,665Deadline:July 27, 2026
Training through the program prepares individuals and communities to respond appropriately and safely to persons with mental health challenges by providing individuals with the knowledge, skills, confidence and reubstance use challenges. According to SAMHSA, MHAT helped more than 1.2 million people receive training from 2018-23:
- 244,680 individuals in the mental health and related workforce have been trained in mental health related practices and activities;
- 487,459 total individuals have been trained in prevention or mental health promotion;
- 543,546 individuals have been referred to mental health or related services.
TISS
Available Funding: $5,985,928Deadline:July 16, 2026
TISS increases student access to evidence-based trauma support services and mental health care by developing innovative initiatives, activities, and programs to link local school systems with local trauma-informed support and mental health systems. According to SAMHSA, more than 40,000 people received training through the program from 2022-23 including:
- Trained 5,291 school staff, students, and administrators;
- 34,678 school aged children and caregivers screened for mental health or related interventions;
- 2,965 school aged children and caregivers referred for mental health and related services.
Next Steps
The National Council encourages applicants to review the Project AWARE, MHAT and TISS opportunities and consider how this funding can support efforts to expand access to mental health and substance use programs in their communities. The National Council has free reations.SAMHSA has posted information on each grant opportunity:
- Trauma-Informed Services in Schools (TISS)
- Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education (Project AWARE)
- Mental Health Awareness Training (MHAT)
About The National Council
Founded in 1969, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing is a membership organization that drives policy and social change on behalf of over 3,200 mental health and substance use treatment organizations and the more than 15 million children, adults and families they serve. We advocate for policies to ensure 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 4.5 million people in the U.S. to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges.
Media Contact
Sophia MajlessiMedia@TheNationalCouncil.org
202-621-1631
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