Thresholds Awarded Federal Grant to Expand Mental Health Awareness and Crisis Response Training Across Chicago
Chicago, IL — Thresholds has been awarded a new three-year Mental Health Awareness Training (MHAT) grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to expand practical, evidence-based mental health awareness and crisis response training across Chicago. Helping more people recognize mental health needs, respond safely, and connect individuals to care.
Through the grant, Thresholds will train 900 people over the next three years in practical, evidence-based, trauma-informed skills, including Mental Health First Aid, suicide prevention and intervention, crisis de-escalation, and recognizing the signs and symptoms of mental illness.
The initiative will focus on communities on Chicago’s North and South Sides, building on the strong community networks surrounding Thresholds’ Centers for Mental Wellbeing Ravenswood and South, which are both federally Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs).
Training will extend beyond traditional behavioral health providers to organizations that regularly encounter individuals experiencing mental health challenges or crises. Potential partners include hospitals, schools, law enforcement and first responders, jails, transit providers, managed care organizations, faith communities, housing providers, employers, educators, and other trusted community organizations.
In addition to providing training, Thresholds will strengthen community partnerships and referral pathways, so people who recognize someone in crisis know where to turn for help. Participants will receive information about resources including 988, Mobile Crisis Response services, Living Rooms, CCBHCs, and other community supports.
“The grant allows Thresholds to take the expertise we use every day responding to mental health crises and bring it further into the community,” said Sherin Khan, Chief Strategy Officer at Thresholds. “By equipping more people with practical knowledge and skills, we can help ensure that individuals experiencing mental health challenges are met with compassion, supported safely, and connected to care.”
The project is funded for three years at over $450,000, with potential to extend the work in future years.