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Alexandria, VA – Mental Health America (MHA) applauds the President’s request for significant investments to address the mental health and substance use crises in his FY ‘23 proposed budget and calls on Congress to swiftly pass the appropriations bills and authorizing legislation to enact these proposals.

The President requests substantial investments consistent with MHA’s priorities, including more than doubling the Community Mental Health Block Grant, creating a new set-aside for prevention and early intervention in the block grant, investing in the behavioral health peer and clinician workforce, promoting parity in Medicare and private insurance, and allocating new funding to implement the 988 mental health crisis line and crisis services.

MHA’s screening data, as well as the daily experiences of our more than 100 affiliates, indicate tremendous unmet need. MHA’s screening data dashboard has information by county and state showing high rates of mental health conditions across the country, including psychosis, PTSD, depression, and persistent suicidal thoughts. In addition, MHA’s State of Mental Health in America report indicated unmet mental health need for adults has increased every year since 2011 and over 60% of youth with major depression do not receive treatment. 

“Mental health and substance use conditions were getting worse prior to the pandemic and COVID-19 added fuel to the fire,” said Mary Giliberti, chief public policy officer for MHA. “President Biden has laid out plans for immediate personnel and services to calm the flames, but he also has proposals to build a more resistant and enduring structure through public and private insurance programs. MHA looks forward to working with the administration and Congress to support these requests, address the crises, and promote better mental health for all.”

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About Mental Health America

Mental Health America (MHA) is the nation’s leading community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and promoting the overall mental health of all. MHA’s work is driven by its commitment to promote mental health as a critical part of overall wellness, including prevention services for all; early identification and intervention for those at risk; integrated care, services, and supports for those who need them; with recovery as the goal. Learn more at MHAnational.org.