National Alliance on Mental Illness
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Mental Health Services at Stake for Current Budget Year
April 6, 2011
A government shutdown looms, as the “continuing resolution” for the current federal budget is set to expire on midnight April 8, 2011. What’s at stake? Current proposals for fiscal year 2011 include significant cuts to research, services and housing for children and adults living with serious mental illness.
Take Action
Contact your U.S. Senators and Representatives today and urge them to oppose cuts to needed mental health services and supports. All House and Senate offices can be reached at 1 (888) 876-6242 or (202) 224-3121 or send an e-mail message to your congressional member.
Talking Points
Current proposals include the following mental health cuts:
- A 70 percent cut to the HUD Section 811 program―a critical resource for developing supportive housing for non-elderly adults living with disabilities, including serious mental illnes;
- An $86 million reduction to the budget for the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), a seven percent reduction that would compromise continuation of a landmark study on early intervention in schizophrenia; and
- A $200 million cut to mental illness services at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) – a 5.5 percent reduction at a time when states are imposing deep cuts in public mental health services.