A Mental Health America 2024 report revealed significant gaps in care, with nearly 1 in 5 U.S. youths experiencing a major depressive episode in the past year and 10% of adults with mental illness who remained uninsured, according to a Sept. 19 news release from HHS. The report also found the majority of individuals with a substance use disorder do not receive proper care.
The administration called on Congress to require behavioral health services in all 1,400 Health Resources and Services Administration-funded health centers nationwide, which serve more than 31 million people. Currently, these centers meet only a fraction of the demand for mental health and substance use treatment, the release said.
In 2023, legislation in the Senate proposed making behavioral health a core service at these centers, and the administration is pushing for further congressional action to secure the expansion.
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.
