The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), has announced funding opportunities totalling $27.5m to enhance women's behavioural health.

This initiative, funded by President Biden's American Rescue Plan, aims to improve access to mental health services and address the specific needs of women facing mental health and substance use challenges.

It includes $15m for the Community-Based Maternal Behavioral Health Services Program, which focuses on providing culturally-relevant, evidence-based treatment for pregnant and postpartum women.

The programme aims to strengthen community referral pathways and ensure seamless care transitions for women at risk or suffering from behavioural health conditions.

Additionally, $12.5m has been allocated to the Women’s Behavioral Health Technical Assistance Center.

This initiative will boost the capacity of healthcare providers to meet the diverse needs of women with or at risk for mental health and substance use conditions. It will also offer training, technical assistance, and educational materials to improve the implementation of evidence-based practices in women's behavioural health.

These efforts are part of the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to tackling the mental health and overdose crises, which are integral to the President's Unity Agenda for the nation.

HHS Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use and SAMHSA leader Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon said: “This funding invests in whole-person care for women and mothers and addresses issues of access and other inequities with critically needed resources.”

SAMHSA's investment also includes nearly $1m in grant awards for two recipients under the Services Program for Residential Treatment for Pregnant and Postpartum Women.

Last month, HHS announced $31.4m in funding to improve behavioural health for racial and ethnic minorities.