SAMHSA Cuts $2 Billion in Addiction & Mental Health Grants
Key takeaways:
- Sources say SAMHSA cut around 2,800 grants supporting mental health and addiction treatment and services.
- Medical organizations said teh cuts will put those with unmet needs at even greater risk.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Management has reportedly canceled thousands of grants supporting mental health and substance use treatment and services, according to the National Council for mental Wellbeing.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has terminated several grants supporting mental health and suicide prevention programs, sparking concern among healthcare professionals. These cuts include all Garrett Lee Smith suicide prevention grants, Zero Suicide initiatives, and the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention, according to reports from Healio and the American Psychiatric Association.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness released a statement noting the terminations occur despite “record suicides and increasing mental health needs.”
Anna K. Person, MD, FIDSA, chair of the HIV Medicine Association, warned that the cuts will negatively impact services for individuals with HIV and hepatitis C, potentially leading to increased transmissions and outbreaks.
Jonathan B. Singer, PhD, LCSW, a professor at Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work, described the terminations as “devastating,” emphasizing that evidence demonstrates sustained, funded suicide prevention programming reduces suicide deaths. He noted the immediate impact on individuals employed through these grants.
HHS has not yet responded to requests for comment.