The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) seeks $10.8 billion for fiscal year 2024, an increase of $3.3 billion compared to its 2023 budget. The funds will support key priority programs addressing the mental health crisis, youth mental health, overdose prevention, and more as part of the President’s Unity Agenda.

SAMHSA’s 2024 budget proposal features a significant investment in transforming the US behavioral health crisis care system. This includes the expansion of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, mandatory funding for Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) to increase access to mental health services, and a request to change the term “Abuse” to “Use” in the Agency’s and Centers’ names to reduce stigma.

Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D., Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, emphasized the importance of these targeted investments in addressing America’s behavioral health needs and enhancing access to quality care for individuals and families nationwide.

The proposed budget includes investments to improve mental health and well-being, such as $1.7 billion for the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant, $413 million for CMHCs, $553 million for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, and $836 million for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Additionally, $244 million is allocated for Project Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education (AWARE), which identifies children and youth in need of mental health services in schools. The budget also includes $102.9 million for Primary and Behavioral Health Care Integration, which expands primary health care and wellness services for individuals with severe mental illness or co-occurring mental illness and addiction.

Investments targeting prevention, treatment, and recovery services for those with substance use disorders include $2 billion for the State Opioid Response (SOR) grant program, $2.7 billion for the Substance Use Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Support Block Grant, and $50 million for Community Harm Reduction and Engagement Initiatives.

SAMHSA’s budget proposal also aims to remove the stigmatizing term “substance abuse” from its centers’ names, a change requiring Congressional approval.

For help with mental health or substance use issues, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 800-662-HELP (4357) or visit findtreatment.samhsa.gov. For those struggling or in crisis, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.