The agency is seeking additional funding for opioid response, community mental healthcare and the 988 lifeline, according to a March 11 news release.
President Joe Biden proposed a $7.3 trillion budget March 11. The budget included several mental health initiatives, including those run through SAMHSA.
Here are the five biggest line items in SAMHSA’s $8.1 billion proposed budget for 2025:
- $1.6 billion for state opioid response grants, a $20 million increase from 2023.
- $1 billion for a community mental health services block grant, including 10% set aside for programs for individuals with early serious mental illness, and 10% for prevention and early intervention for at-risk youth and adults with mental illness.
- $601 million, a $100 million increase from 2024, for administering and scaling the 988 lifeline.
- $450 million for community behavioral health clinics, including a request for authority to develop a process for accreditation of these clinics. The proposal is a $65 million increase from 2024.
- $413 million for state and local governments and nonprofit organizations to increase access to community mental health centers.
At the Becker's Fall Behavioral Health Summit, taking place November 4–5 in Chicago, behavioral health leaders and executives will explore strategies for expanding access to care, integrating services, addressing workforce challenges and leveraging innovation to improve outcomes across the behavioral health continuum. Apply for complimentary registration now.
