Sarbanes, Maryland Congressional Delegation Announce Nearly $55.4 Million in American Rescue Plan Funding to Expand Mental Health Services and Combat the Opioid Epidemic

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today joined the Maryland Congressional Delegation in announcing $55,397,277 in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan to expand access to mental health services and substance use disorder treatment programs across the state.

"The COVID-19 crisis has made it even more challenging for Marylanders to secure critical mental health resources," said Congressman Sarbanes. "The pandemic has also exacerbated the opioid epidemic and substance abuse in our state, with overdoses rising by more than 18 percent in the last year alone."

Sarbanes continued: "This latest round of American Rescue Plan funding delivers urgently needed support to individuals in communities throughout Maryland who are struggling with mental illness and addiction. We will continue working tirelessly to help strengthen our state's public health infrastructure and expand access to lifesaving care and services."

Funding comes from the American Rescue Plan. It includes:

• $27,809,755 for the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene through the Mental Health Services Block Grant Program.
  
• $27,587,522 for the Maryland Behavioral Health Administration through the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant Program.
  

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