News Releases

The Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) provides funding to expand access to high-quality health care in rural communities. DMH is leveraging these opportunities to strengthen Mississippi’s behavioral health and IDD systems of care. DMH is administering a number of projects through the RHTP. These projects reflect recommendations provided by DMH for pilot initiatives that could […]

The Mississippi Department of Mental Health (DMH) will host a press conference on Monday, August 31 at 1:30 p.m. at the Jackson Medical Mall to mark International Overdose Awareness Day and close out Overdose Awareness Week in Mississippi. The event will bring together DMH and state leadership, plus community stakeholders to discuss the state’s ongoing […]

Senate Bill 3072, 2026 Regular Session (Fiscal Year 2027)   Senate Bill 3072 directs money from the Mississippi Opioid Settlement Fund to the Mississippi Department of Mental Health. These funds come from legal settlements with companies involved in the opioid epidemic and are set aside to treat, prevent and reduce the harm caused by opioid […]

Mississippi State Hospital DMH is announcing leadership transitions at two of our facilities this month. Amy Carruth of Brandon, pictured left, has been named the next Director of Mississippi State Hospital, succeeding longtime director James G. “Bo” Chastain, who is retiring after 36 years of service. Carruth brings more than 14 years at MSH, most recently as Director of Quality Assurance and […]

Mississippi is proud to have been announced as one of 10 states joining the 2026 CCBHC Medicaid Demonstration. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through CMS and in partnership with SAMHSA, has announced 10 new states selected for the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Medicaid Demonstration Program. This expansion reflects continued momentum […]

DMH Launches Web Resource During Mental Health Month   JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi Department of Mental Health (DMH) joins the nation in observing Mental Health Awareness Month this May, reaffirming its commitment to expanding access to quality behavioral health services for all Mississippians. First observed in 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month is an opportunity […]

May 8, 2026 – The Mississippi Department of Mental Health is now accepting applications for a series of competitive grants made available through funding appropriated to the agency.  Each Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is available as a PDF linked below. Only DMH Certified Providers are eligible to apply for the posted NOFO opportunities.  General […]

Agency Highlights Supports for Mississippi’s Children, Youth & Families The Mississippi Department of Mental Health (DMH) joins advocates and partners across the country in recognizing Children’s Mental Health Acceptance Week, May 3–9, shining a light on the mental health needs of Mississippi’s youngest residents and the services available to support them. Nearly 35,000 of Mississippi’s […]

Faith leaders, mental health professionals, and community advocates from across the state will gather on May 21 for the 2026 Mississippi Mental Health Faith-Based Summit, a one-day event focused on strengthening the connection between faith communities and behavioral health support systems. Hosted by the Congregational Recovery Outreach Program (CROP), the summit will take place from […]

The Mississippi Department of Mental Health (DMH) is proud to recognize April as Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month alongside communities across the country and here at home. Autism Awareness & Acceptance Proclamation Signing Pictured, front from left (behind Gov. Reeves): Dr. Kristin Kirby, DMH Chief Clinical Officer (IDD Services); Katie Storr, DMH Chief of Staff; […]

Advocates Gear Up for IDD Day at the Capitol on March 3 The Mississippi Department of Mental Health (DMH) joins communities across the state in recognizing Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Awareness Month this March, a time dedicated to promoting inclusion, raising awareness and celebrating the contributions of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. More […]

South Mississippi State Hospital recently hosted a Bridging the Gap meeting, bringing together inpatient providers and community partners to strengthen collaboration and enhance continuity of care across Mississippi. The meeting served as an important opportunity to align efforts, share updates and reinforce the shared commitment to improving outcomes for individuals and families served throughout the […]

Highlighting Maternal Mental Health and Postpartum Depression   January 23 marks Maternal Health Awareness Day, and the Mississippi Department of Mental Health (DMH) is supporting the cause by drawing attention to the importance of maternal mental health, including postpartum depression (PPD) — a serious but treatable condition that affects many Mississippi families.   In Mississippi, […]

Update: 1/15/26 On January 15, 2026, DMH received notice from SAMHSA that the termination of DMH’s grants discussed below has been rescinded. Original Post: The Mississippi Department of Mental Health (DMH) received notifications the evening of January 13 and early morning hours of January 14 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) […]

Please feel free to join DMH as it continues a year-long series of virtual trainings designed to empower crisis workers with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively respond to behavioral health crises. Our program began in May 2025 and includes: Technical Assistance: Ongoing support for CSUs, 988 Call Centers, and Mobile Crisis Response Teams. […]

The holidays are fast approaching – they may have come and gone by the time you’re reading this – and while they’re a time of great joy and happiness for many people, that isn’t always the case. In November 2025, the Mississippi State Department of Health had DMH Medical Director Dr. Tom Recore on their […]

The sun is setting earlier, the leaves are falling, and, thankfully, the weather is cooling and the steamy days of the Mississippi summer are well behind us. For many Mississippi farmers, that also means harvest is nearing its end. As National Farmers Day was recognized this week on Sunday, October 12, this is a time […]

Wrapping Up the Month of September with Statewide Efforts to Save Lives The Mississippi Department of Mental Health (DMH) is concluding Suicide Prevention Awareness Month by highlighting the efforts made across the state to raise awareness, reduce stigma and provide hope and healing for individuals and families impacted by suicide. Throughout September, DMH partnered with […]

The Mississippi Department of Mental Health (DMH) is joining partners across the nation in recognizing 988 Day of Awareness on September 8. This day highlights the importance of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, a three-digit number that connects people to immediate support during mental health, substance use or suicide crisis. This year’s theme, “Compassionate […]