A federal mental health agency has awarded Connecticut a $5 million grant to improve outreach efforts to young adults with behavioral health issues, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s office announced Wednesday.
The competitive five-year grant was awarded through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and will be used to help people who are between 16 and 25 years old, have behavioral disorders, and are living in New London, Milford and Middletown.
Staff members of New London’s Child and Family Agency of Southeastern CT, Milford’s Bridges, and Community Health Center in Middletown will work with youth in the area to improve their transitions to adult life, according to a press release.
“These new resources will support young people living with behavioral health disorders, and help them learn to identify and appropriately cope with their issues,” Malloy said in a statement. “Early intervention is critical; and this funding enables Connecticut to reach out to young people and help them lead more productive, fulfilled lives.”
According to Malloy’s office, funding from the grant will be used on an outreach campaign designed to connect people with services and reduce discrimination of people with mental health disorders. It will be administered by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and the Department of Children and Families.