WASHINGTON, DC, October 18, 2022–Today’s President Joe Biden announced funding to “expand Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics is a critical step in helping to expand the availability of evidence-based community mental health services. These clinics are proven to improve health outcomes while lowering costs, by delivering 24/7 mental health and substance use care to millions of Americans, no matter who they are or whether they have ability to pay. Through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the American Rescue Plan, and funding in this year’s budget, my Administration is working to expand this program to communities that need them most.”
“Mental health affects all of us, which is why I named tackling the mental health crisis a core pillar of my Unity Agenda. As I outlined in my State of the Union address last March, we can and must do more to transform how we address mental health in America,” Biden said in a released statement.
“In June, I was proud to sign the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which included unprecedented resources to help address mental health needs across our nation, particularly for young people that have been exposed to violence. Over the past few weeks, my Administration has announced the availability of funding that will help grow the pipeline of school-based mental health professionals, expand trauma-informed services in schools, and connect youth in need to mental health experts via telehealth,” Biden’s statement read.
According to the Biden’s Administration, “In the coming weeks,” —“the Administration will be announcing additional resources to support our heroic mental health workers and help communities strengthen mental health.”
In a report released last week, Mental Health America, there were key findings released about adults experiencing a mental illness.
The organization released an overall ranking of mental illness and higher rates of access to care.
“An overall ranking of 39-51 indicates higher prevalence of mental illness and lower rates of access to care. The combined scores of all 15 measures make up the overall ranking. The overall ranking
includes both adult and youth measures, as well as prevalence and access to care measures.”
Wisconsin was ranked number 1 in mental illness among the States. “The indicators that had the largest effect on Wisconsin’s Overall Ranking were Adults With AMI Reporting Unmet Need (20.9%, ranked 3), Students identified with Emotional Disturbance for an IEP (14.78, ranked 5), and Adults with AMI Who Did Not Receive Treatment (46.8%, ranked 9).”
Pennsylvania was ranked no. 2 among the mental illness in States. “The largest effects on the Overall Ranking for Pennsylvania were Adults Reporting 14+ Mentally Unhealthy Days a Month Who Could Not See a Doctor Due to Costs (14.75%, ranked 2) and Students Identified with ED for an IEP.”
Massachusetts is ranked no. 3 among the States mental illness rank and access to care. “The indicators that had the largest e ects on Massachusetts’ Overall Ranking were Students Identi ed with ED for an IEP (19.14, ranked 3), and Adults with AMI Who Did Not Receive Mental Health Treatment (42.8%, ranked 3).”
Youth Rankings
“States with rankings 1-13 have a lower prevalence of mental illness and higher rates
of access to care for youth. States with rankings 39-51 indicate that youth have
a higher prevalence of mental illness and lower rates of access to care.”
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