Now Is the Time: Improving Life Trajectories for Youth and Young Adults with, or at Risk for, Serious Mental Health Conditions

In support of the President’s “Now is the Time” (NITT) Plan, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is announcing a new grant program, “Now is the Time” Healthy Transitions: Improving Life Trajectories for Youth and Young Adults with, or at Risk for, Serious Mental Health Conditions (Short Title, NITT-Healthy Transitions (NITT-HT). The purpose of this program is to improve access to treatment and support services for youth and young adults ages 16 – 25 that either have, or are at risk of developing a serious mental health condition. Individuals who are 16 – 25 years old are at high risk of developing a mental illness or substance use disorder, and are at high risk for suicide. Unfortunately, these youth are among the least likely to seek help and, as a result, they may “fall through the cracks” and not receive the help they need to assume safe and productive adult roles and responsibilities.