Public Policy Reports

In 2025, Congress enacted Public Law 119-21 (H.R. 1), which made sweeping changes to Medicaid, including a new work reporting (“community engagement”) requirement for some individuals covered by Medicaid expansion. Starting in 2027, many of the impacted individuals will have to participate in 80 hours a month of some combination of work, job training, education, […]

Overview In recognition of the third anniversary of 988’s nationwide availability, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) released a new publication, Trends in 988 and Reimagining Crisis Response State Policy, that highlights state legislation enacted in 2024 that reimagines mental health crisis response systems. People in a mental health crisis deserve a compassionate and effective […]

Overview One of NAMI’s strategic priorities is for people to get the best possible mental health care. There are many barriers to accessible, comprehensive, and affordable mental health care, and studies routinely show that half of adults with mental illness receive treatment in a given year. NAMI’s Trends in Access to Mental Health Care State Policy explores how state […]

Overview The United States is going through a well-documented and ongoing youth mental health crisis, with high rates of suicidal ideation, hopelessness and depression. In 2023, more than 1 in 5 high school students seriously considered attempting suicide and 1 in 10 attempted suicide – rates that are even higher for at risk communities, like LGBTQ+ youth. When mental health […]

Overview In recognition of the second anniversary of 988’s nationwide availability, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) released a new publication, Trends in State Policy: 988 and Reimagining Crisis Response. This issue brief highlights state legislation passed in 2023 that works to reimagine the mental health crisis response system. Too often, people experiencing a mental […]

Overview NAMI believes that people should get the best possible mental health care. There are many barriers to accessible, comprehensive and affordable mental health care. Studies show that less than half of adults with mental illness receive treatment in a given year. NAMI’s Trends in Access to Mental Health Care State Policy shows how state policymakers and advocates can […]

Overview People with mental illness are disproportionately represented in our nation’s criminal justice system. About two in five people who are incarcerated have a history of mental illness. NAMI’s Trends in Mental Health and Criminal Justice State Policy shows how state policymakers and advocates can address this problem through effective legislation. This issue brief provides policy recommendations […]

Overview In 2022, COVID-19 restrictions eased, and Americans were able to return to familiar routines at work, at school and in their communities. Many people found their lives returning to a new kind of normal, but at the same time, more Americans than ever reported struggling with their mental health. The impact of the COVID-19 […]

Overview The COVID-19 pandemic brought about an unprecedented crisis in the U.S. that disrupted our daily lives and caused extreme stress, isolation, trauma and loss. At the outset of the pandemic in 2020, many states’ legislative sessions were cut short, and state legislators had to prioritize the most urgent policy actions needed to support their […]