From a news release
CHICAGO—The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, notified the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) this week that the Trump Administration would terminate up to $28 million that Congress directed to Illinois for mental health and substance use disorder treatment.
The federal funding was granted through the American Rescue Plan Act and allocated to 77 community-based organizations which provide direct services to thousands of individuals living across Illinois. These funds enable behavioral health crisis response services, support for young people experiencing early symptoms of psychosis, substance use recovery homes, and substance use prevention services.
“At a time when Americans desperately need support for mental health and substance abuse, the Trump Administration has again prioritized cruelty over care and cut essential funds states were relying on to fund lifesaving programs,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “We know many Illinoisans still face mental health challenges after the pandemic and we need to do everything we can to help them. The programs supported by the funding have ripple effects that touch every community in Illinois—reduction in violence, lowered healthcare costs, and a happier and healthier population.”
The American Rescue Plan Act was intended to alleviate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had a lasting effect on the mental and behavioral health of Illinoisans. While the pandemic is over, it left long-term impacts on stress, anxiety, and depression.
Alcohol use, in particular, increased during the pandemic, with a RAND Corporation survey finding that adult alcohol consumption increased by 14% compared to pre-pandemic levels.
While Illinois has made substantial progress in addressing these impacts, the federal funds Congress directed towards the state are critical to supporting substance use and mental health recovery.
“Removing funding that is used at the local level to support people in recovery from mental health and substance use challenges is shortsighted and negligent,” said IDHS Secretary Dulce M. Quintero. “This funding has an invaluable return on investment – saving lives and rehabilitating those struggling so they can once again become thriving members of their communities.”