$7.5 million federal grant to expand student mental health services in New Hanover County
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — New Hanover County Schools and Coastal Horizons are partnering to expand mental health services and emotional well-being support for students through a $7.5 million federal grant.
The five-year Project AWARE grant was awarded to Coastal Horizons by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and will provide $1.5 million annually.
Project AWARE, which stands for Advancing Wellness and Resilience in Education, is designed to help schools strengthen student mental health services, address substance use and related disorders, and connect students with behavioral health resources.
Through the partnership, New Hanover County Schools and Coastal Horizons will work to identify student needs earlier, expand school-based support and improve connections between students, families and community mental health providers.
“Supporting the mental health and well-being of our students is essential to helping them succeed in the classroom and in life,” said Julie Varnam, deputy superintendent of New Hanover County Schools. “We are grateful for our partnership with Coastal Horizons and the opportunity this grant provides to strengthen the network of support available to our students and families. When schools and community partners work together, we are better equipped to identify needs early, connect students with resources and help ensure every student has the opportunity to reach their full potential.”
Coastal Horizons, a nonprofit behavioral health and human services provider, will lead the initiative in collaboration with the school district.
The program will focus on prevention, early intervention, access to mental health services, crisis response and collaboration with families and community organizations.
“No student should have to face a mental health challenge alone, and no family should have to navigate the search for help without support,” said Margaret Weller-Stargell, president and CEO of Coastal Horizons. “This five-year investment gives us the opportunity to work alongside New Hanover County Schools to recognize concerns earlier, connect students with care, and build a lasting network of support. Together, we can help students develop resilience and ensure that asking for help is met with compassion and a clear path to care.”
The grant is part of broader efforts to expand school-based behavioral health services across North Carolina.
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction recently announced a separate $7.5 million federal Project AWARE grant to support three school districts across the state from 2026 through 2031.
New Hanover County Schools serves approximately 25,000 students across 45 schools.
Coastal Horizons provides behavioral health care, crisis intervention, substance use treatment and other human services to more than 25,000 people annually across 70 North Carolina counties.
The organizations say the partnership is intended to create long-term systems that help students access mental health resources and support their academic and personal development.
More information about Coastal Horizons and its services is available online.
