2016 budget bill includes increases for mental health initiatives.
+ Regulatory
Jamie Barrand | Dec 29, 2015

2016 budget bill includes increases for mental health initiatives

The $1.1 trillion 2016 budget bill that was recently signed by President Obama included bumps in funding for several mental health initiatives and programs.

Among these is an $85.4 million boost for research at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the largest increase for NIMH research since 2012. Overall funding for the institute will be $32.1 billion for 2016.

Funding for services provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has been increased $160 million from last year -- the largest annual increase for SAMHSA in the two decades the administration has been in existence -- making the total budget for the organization $3.8 billion.

SAMHSA provides mental health services for children, the homeless and primary care patients.

The bill also includes a $255 million increase for veterans' mental health treatment programs provided through venues like the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Also included in the bill are increases for Criminal Justice/Mental Health Collaboration grants funded by the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act (MIOTCRA) program.

These grants are distributed by the U.S. Department of Justice and include programs dealing with jail diversion, mental health courts and community re-entry initiatives.

Organizations in this story

More News