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Advancing Policies for

Mental and Behavioral Health

Policymakers must implement solutions to declining mental health and well-being. Information, data points, policies, and resources on this page were curated to help advocates learn and take action on mental and behavioral health policy.

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MENTAL & BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
Environmental Health & the Climate
Infectious Diseases & Vaccination
Maternal & Infant Health
Nutrition & Food Security
Substance Use Prevention

Stress, anxiety, and depression prevalence has risen sharply.

Suicide rates on the rise.

Declining mental health is reported among all demographic groups.

There are structural barriers to accessing resources for mental and behavioral health.

Marginalized communities face the greatest barriers to accessing care.

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Learn more about Mental & Behavioral Health

Data to Power Your Advocacy

POLICY AIMS

We can transform our policies, systems, and environments to provide the vital community conditions that all people need to be healthy and well. The below policy aims and example policies and programs can be advanced to achieve population mental health improvements.

Expand Access to Culturally Appropriate Care

Provide care that is respectful of and tailored to diverse populations’ cultural backgrounds, values, and needs.

Advance Training and Education for Providers

Offering training for mental health professionals in cultural competence to improve their ability to serve diverse communities effectively.

Increase Access to Telehealth Services

Increase access to Telehealth for mental health care, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

The Unfinished Business of Medicaid Expansion

The Affordable Care Act allows states to expand Medicaid health insurance coverage to low income adults and provides an enhanced federal matching rate for expansion populations. Medicaid expansion is linked to positive outcomes that include improved insurance coverage, access to health and mental health services, and health outcomes, as well as economic benefits to states and providers. Expanding Medicaid is a systems-level solution to filling coverage gaps for uninsured, low income adults. As of January 2025, forty-one states (including D.C.) have adopted Medicaid expansion. The remaining ten states have the opportunity to realize increased coverage and health benefits by adopting and implementing Medicaid expansion.

    ADVANCING FEDERAL POLICIES

    The Consolidated Appropriations Act

    The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, included significant provisions for mental health care, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Key elements addressing mental health disparities include:

    • Funding for Mental Health Services: The Act allocated substantial funding for mental health services, including $4.25 billion for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to address mental health and substance use disorders.

    • Crisis Intervention Services: Funding was provided to expand crisis intervention services, including the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and the creation of the 988 crisis hotline.

    • Support for Underserved Communities: The Act included provisions to support mental health services for underserved populations, including funding for community mental health services, school-based mental health programs, and services for homeless individuals.

    The American Rescue Plan Act

    The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) passed in March 2021, included substantial investments in mental health care to address the increased need during the COVID-19 pandemic. Key elements include:

    • Mental Health Block Grants: The Act provided an additional $1.5 billion for Community Mental Health Services Block Grants, which support state and local mental health programs.

    • Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grants: An additional $1.5 billion was allocated to Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grants to enhance access to mental health and substance use disorder services.

    • School-Based Mental Health Services: The Act included significant funding to support school-based mental health programs, addressing the mental health needs of children and adolescents affected by the pandemic.

    • Behavioral Health Workforce: The Act expanded the behavioral health workforce, including funding training programs and support for mental health professionals serving in underserved areas.

    Learn and Act with Community Commons

    Policies and information contained in this module are based on the Public Health Policy Information Sheet which was prepared by WE Public Health, LLC for the American Public Health Association and Public Health AmeriCorps.

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