President Biden plans to address the mental health and addiction crisis, both of which have worsened since the start of the pandemic. He intends to allocate funding between substance abuse and mental health services. Continue reading below to learn more.
President Biden is directing $2.5 billion in funding to address the nation’s worsening mental illness and addiction crisis, according to an official from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as reported by Axios.
Why it matters:
Confronting the mounting mental health and substance abuse crisis will be imperative for the Biden administration, even as its primary focus remains on combating the broader COVID-19 pandemic. The funding announced today aims to increase access to services for individual Americans.
The funding surge comes as the president has yet to fill several key permanent positions in agencies that would lead the charge in combating the drug epidemic, including the Food and Drug Administration and the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. His pick to lead HHS, Xavier Becerra, is expected to be confirmed by a close vote.
Between the lines:
The funds will be divided into two components by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
- $1.65 billion will go toward the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant, providing states and territories with money to improve existing treatment infrastructure and create or enhance prevention and treatment programs.
- $825 million will be allocated through the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant program, which states will use to specifically address mental health treatment services.
By the numbers:
A survey conducted last year and published in August 2020 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that 41% of U.S. adults reported struggling with mental health or substance abuse related to the pandemic or its solutions, like social distancing.
Before the pandemic, over 118,000 people died by suicide and overdose in 2019. An HHS official says the administration expects that number to increase because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Preliminary data from the CDC indicates that the number of drug overdoses through July 2020 increased by 24% from the previous year.
Flashback:
On the campaign trail, then-candidate Biden often spoke about the need to address the mounting mental health and substance abuse crisis in America, an issue that hits close to home. His son, Hunter, has openly discussed his own struggles with addiction.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) provides 24/7, free, and confidential support for anyone in distress, in addition to prevention and crisis resources. It is also available for online chat.
Original article posted on axios.com