Elaine Georgas announces $5.6 million for mental health treatment in Lorain at a City Hall press conference today in Lorain. (CT photo by Bruce Bishop.)

LORAIN — Lorain is one of three communities across the nation chosen for a federal grant to promote mental health treatment for individuals and students, officials announced at a City Hall press conference this morning.

Lorain will receive $5.6 million — $1.4 million a year for each of the next four years — because the city was considered to be hit especially hard by the recession, according to Elaine Georgas, executive director of the alcohol and drugs addiction services board.

A recent study by the U.S. Census Bureau found that more than 25 percent of Lorain residents live below the federal poverty level.

Lorain Mayor Tony Krasienko said Georgas approached him last fall, and the program looked like a perfect fit for the city.

One thousand people will be screened beginning Feb. 1 at a number of locations, and assistance will be provided by numerous agencies and health care facilities.

Read Friday’s Chronicle for more on this story.