Crisis Intervention Services Grants
Federal and state grants fund crisis intervention services, emergency mental health response, suicide prevention programs, and mobile crisis teams. Find funding for organizations providing immediate crisis support, crisis hotlines, crisis stabilization, and behavioral health emergency services.
Crisis Services & Mental Health Emergency Context
Crisis Services Need and Impact
- ✓ Mental health crises affect millions annually: suicides, psychiatric emergencies, substance abuse crises
- ✓ 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline receives 3+ million calls annually
- ✓ Early crisis intervention prevents hospitalizations and reduces costs
- ✓ Mobile crisis teams provide immediate community-based response
- ✓ Crisis services reduce emergency department burden and hospitalizations
- ✓ Effective crisis response improves outcomes and prevents tragedies
Federal agencies including SAMHSA, NIMH, HRSA, CDC, and CMS prioritize crisis intervention funding. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline expansion represents unprecedented federal investment in crisis services nationwide.
Crisis intervention models include telephone crisis hotlines, mobile crisis teams, crisis stabilization units, crisis residential programs, emergency department-based interventions, and peer support crisis services. Evidence shows these services save lives and reduce emergency service costs.
Types of Crisis Intervention Service Grants
Crisis Hotlines & Telephone Services
Grants supporting crisis hotlines, 988 Lifeline centers, and telephone-based crisis counseling and support services.
Mobile Crisis Teams
Funding for mobile crisis units providing immediate community-based response to mental health emergencies and psychiatric crises.
Crisis Stabilization & Residential Programs
Grants for crisis stabilization units and crisis residential programs providing short-term emergency mental health treatment and support.
Suicide Prevention & Intervention
Funding for suicide prevention training, suicide intervention programs, and postvention support services.
Federal Agencies Funding Crisis Services
SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) - Primary funder of 988 Lifeline, crisis grants, and behavioral health crisis programs
NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health) - Supports crisis intervention research and innovative service programs
HRSA (Health Resources and Services Administration) - Funds community health center crisis services and workforce development
CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) - Provides reimbursement for mobile crisis services and crisis stabilization
CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - Supports suicide prevention and crisis response initiatives
Available Crisis Intervention Service Grants (8)
Pilot Effectiveness Trials of Peer Support Services for Suicide Prevention
National Institutes of Health
Research Opportunities in Crisis Response Services for Suicide Prevention
National Institutes of Health
Garrett Lee Smith State/Tribal Youth Suicide Prevention and Early Intervention Program
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis
FY2026 Cooperative Agreements for 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Crisis Center Follow-Up Programs
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for crisis intervention grants?
Nonprofit mental health organizations, behavioral health agencies, hospitals, community health centers, crisis hotlines, and local mental health authorities can apply. Some grants may be available to consortiums and public/private partnerships.
What is the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline expansion?
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a federal initiative with significant SAMHSA funding to expand crisis services nationwide. States and organizations can apply for funding to develop or expand crisis answering services, crisis text lines, and mobile crisis teams that support the 988 network.
What are mobile crisis teams and what do they do?
Mobile crisis teams are multidisciplinary teams (often including mental health clinicians, peers, and paramedics) that respond to mental health emergencies in the community. They provide immediate assessment, de-escalation, safety planning, and connection to services to prevent hospitalizations and emergency department visits.
Can peer specialists work on crisis teams?
Yes. Evidence shows peer specialists (individuals with lived experience of mental health challenges) are highly effective on crisis teams and hotlines. Many grants specifically support peer-led crisis services and peer staff training.
What outcomes do crisis programs track?
Crisis programs typically track response times, caller/client demographics, presenting concerns, outcomes (resolved vs. referred), and downstream impacts (reduced emergency department visits, hospitalizations, police involvement). Funders emphasize outcome measurement.
Additional Resources
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - Call or text 988 for immediate crisis support
- SAMHSA Crisis Services Programs - Information on 988 and crisis service grants
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - Training and best practices for crisis services
- American Association of Suicidology - Professional organization supporting crisis providers
- Grants.gov - Search all federal grants at grants.gov