State agencies are assessing the effects of $1 billion in canceled mental health funding.
On March 26, HHS canceled $1 billion in Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration funding and $11.4 billion in funding for the CDC.
The canceled SAMHSA funds were set to expire in September, but the early cancellation left states without the opportunity to wind down programs and transfer beneficiaries, officials told local news outlets.
Here is how the funding losses are affecting seven states:
- Uplift Wisconsin, a peer-run mental health hotline meant to support individuals with mental health issues who are not yet in crisis, will shut down April 5, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported March 31. The project was funded by grants abruptly canceled by HHS.
- Colorado will lose $31 million in funding for behavioral and mental health programs as a result of the canceled funding, ABC affiliate KMGH reported March 27. The Colorado Behavioral Health Administration told the outlet the cuts will affect 60 behavioral health programs, including crisis resolution teams and peer services for individuals with substance use disorders.
- Illinois will lose $28 million in mental health funding, WBEZ Chicago reported March 27. The funding had been allocated to 77 community organizations in the state.
- New York state’s Office of Addiction Services and Supports expects to lose $40 million in total funding, according to a March 28 news release from Gov. Kathy Hochul. The funding supports transitional housing, outpatient clinics for medication-assisted treatment and early intervention programs. The state’s Office of Mental Health will lose $28 million in funding for crisis stabilization and other programs.
- Washington state lost $34 million in funding for mental health and opioid use disorder treatment services, the Washington State Standard reported March 27.
- Minnesota lost $27.5 million in mental health funding, MPRNews reported March 28. The funding went toward drug prevention and harm reduction programs in the state, Teresa Steinmetz, assistant commissioner of the state’s department of behavioral health, told the outlet.
- Louisiana expects to lose $10 million in grants for substance use and mental health projects, nola.com reported March 27. State officials are still assessing the impact on staffing.