Community Mental Health Block Grant (MHBG)

The Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), under the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), supports public mental health services and encourages the development of creative and cost-effective systems of community-based care for people with serious mental disorders. Through the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant to the States, the CMHS works in collaboration with each State to develop and implement its own State Mental Health Plan for improving community-based services and reducing reliance on hospitalization.

New Hampshire Behavioral Health Planning and Advisory Council (NHBHPAC)

The State Behavioral Health Planning and Advisory Council (BHPAC), required by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA), reviews and monitors the biennial Mental Health Block Grant plan. The council also monitors the mental health services and support system throughout the state. Its membership is comprised of interested individuals, including:

Individuals in recovery from serious mental illness (SMI) or serious mental illness and substance use disorders
Family members of individuals in recovery from serious mental illness (SMI) or serious mental illness and substance use disorders
Parents/guardians of children with a serious emotional disturbance (SED)
Representatives of Advocacy Groups for individuals living with mental illness
Service providers
Representatives from State agencies

The BHPAC meets quarterly. These meetings are public. Interested individuals are encouraged to apply using the NHBHPAC (Behavioral Health Planning & Advisory Council) Membership Application.

Information about the council can also be found in the NHBPAC Flyer.

Community Mental Health Block Grant Application

SAMHSA believes that requiring states to submit plans for their behavioral health care systems is in keeping with SAMHSA’s governance of federal funds to require states to explain what their objectives are in the use of the funds and how they intend to spend them. Having the states submit a plan including performance measures allows SAMHSA to hold the states accountable for goals that they have set for themselves.

View the FFY 2022-2023 Block Grant Application

American Rescue Plan Mental Health Block Grant NH Plan: Federal Fiscal Years 2021-2025

The American Rescue Plan (ARP) directed the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to provide additional funds to support states through Block Grants to address the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic for Americans with mental illness and substance use disorders. The SAMHSA provided states with mental health block grant spending guidance for the awards that focus on community mental health services for adults with serious mental illness (SMI) and children with serious emotional disturbance (SED).

View the ARPA Funding Plan FFY 2021-2025

COVID Mitigation Plan: Federal Fiscal Years 2021-2025

People with mental illness and substance use disorder are more likely to have co-morbid physical health issues like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. Such chronic illnesses are associated with higher instances of contracting coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as well as higher risk of death or a poor outcome from an episode of COVID-19. To address this concern, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), will invest $100 million dollars to expand dedicated testing and mitigation resources for people with mental health and substance use disorders.

View the COVID Mitigation Plan

Public Comments are Welcomed

The State seeks comments from the public on the State Mental Health plans, reports, and the programs it supports. The Bureau of Mental Health Services encourages and welcomes such comments at any time.

Send comments to the Bureau of Mental Health Services at BMHS@dhhs.nh.gov.