Rep. Pete Aguilar announced that Reach Out, a San Bernardino County nonprofit, has received $124,950 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Mental Health Awareness Training grant program. The funding will be used for crisis response, mental health awareness and suicide prevention training to prevent suicide and mental health emergencies among young people in the Inland Empire.

“Funding for outreach, awareness and prevention training is key as we continue working to end teen suicide. With federal investment and partnerships with nonprofits like Reach Out, we can prevent future tragedies and make sure young people in our region have the resources they need,” said Aguilar.

“Through this grant, Reach Out aims to equip teachers, school personnel, first responders, and community members with the skills needed to appropriately respond to individuals with mental health and social/emotional needs. Reach Out will partner with local stakeholders to provide trainings such as Youth Mental Health First Aid and suicide prevention education,” said Reach Out Project Director Dr. Yara William.

Rep. Aguilar serves on the House Appropriations Committee, the committee responsible for determining federal funding levels for agencies like SAMHSA.