NAMI Statement on Reported Cuts to Federal Mental Health Agency

Posted on March 14, 2025 | nami.org |

Arlington, VA — Today, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) released the following statement following several news reports that the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency (SAMHSA) could be facing a staff reduction of 50 percent or more in the immediate future. NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. said:

“Our country is in the midst of a well-documented mental health, overdose, and suicide crisis. The dedicated public servants at SAMHSA have worked tirelessly with state officials and stakeholders, like NAMI, to improve the lives of people affected by mental illness. NAMI is deeply disappointed by the possible cuts to SAMHSA and urges President Trump and Secretary Kennedy to prevent these cuts from happening.”

SAMHSA is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services leading efforts to address our nation’s mental health crisis and suicide and overdose epidemic. SAMHSA’s critically important mission is to lead public health and service delivery efforts that promote mental health, prevent substance misuse, and provide treatments and support to foster recovery while ensuring access and better outcomes for all. SAMHSA does this by providing congressionally appropriated grants to states, territories, tribes, and nonprofits. SAMHSA substance use programs have also helped turn the tide on record-high overdose deaths – leading to a 14% decline in deaths in 2023. Currently, SAMHSA:

• Administers the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which has served over 14.5 million people in crisis since it went live in July 2022.
• Administers the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant, which currently provides critical care and services to 8.5 million people in all states and territories.
• Runs Project AWARE, which screened nearly 300,000 children and youth for mental health related concerns in 2023 and referred 92,205 for mental health services and treatment.
• Oversees the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) program, which is transforming mental health and substance use care in 46 states. A quarter of the program helps underserved rural communities.

Unfortunately, one in ten SAMHSA staff have already been fired, and multiple news outlets like The New York Times and STAT are reporting that hundreds more could possibly lose their jobs in the coming days and weeks. Cutting half or more of SAMHSA staff will undoubtedly hurt Americans, worsen this crisis, and impact millions. NAMI’s Chief Advocacy Officer Hannah Wesolowski said:

“For over 30 years, SAMHSA staff have worked to fight discrimination and improve services for people with mental health conditions. NAMI is an organization made up of people with mental illness and their loved ones, who live in every corner of the country. We are concerned that the progress we have made as a country in addressing our mental health crisis is at risk. NAMI calls on Congress and the Trump Administration to continue the great – and bipartisan – progress we’ve made in addressing our country’s mental health and substance use crises. We urge our nation’s leaders to take every measure within their power to prevent these massive cuts to SAMHSA from happening and ensure that SAMHSA staff can continue their critical work during a time when it is desperately needed.”

The National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness. NAMI provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives. NAMI envisions a world where all people affected by mental illness live healthy, fulfilling lives supported by a community that cares. NAMI shapes national public policy for people with mental illness and their families and provides volunteer leaders with the tools, resources and skills necessary to save mental health in all states.