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\u201cWe are currently working to understand the scope of the cuts,\u201d National Council for Mental Wellbeing President and CEO Chuck Ingoglia<\/b> said in a press release. \u201cBut here\u2019s one thing we do understand: These are not abstract budget lines \u2014 they are lifelines. And we know that mental health or substance use conditions know no partisan bounds.\u201d<\/p>\n
Among the programs affected include the American Psychiatric Association\u2019s (APA\u2019s) Workforce Development Initiative and the APA Foundation\u2019s Notice. Talk. Act at School Program.<\/p>\n
The cuts \u201care nothing short of catastrophic, placing millions of Americans with unmet mental health and substance use disorder needs at even greater risk,\u201d APA President Theresa M. Miskimen Rivera, MD,<\/b> said in a press release. \u201cThe U.S. continues to face a mental health crisis across all age groups, with drug overdose and suicide among the leading causes of death. Our programs, which only represent a fraction of what\u2019s been cut, establish a vital pathway for psychiatrists to serve those in need, especially in areas experiencing mental health professional shortages, and in schools.\u201d<\/p>\n
Such cuts came \u201cdespite Congress making mental health funding a bipartisan priority in recent years to address high rates of overdose, record suicides and increasing mental health needs,\u201d according to a press release from the National Alliance on Mental Illness.<\/p>\n
Anna K. Person, MD, FIDSA<\/b>, <\/b>chair of the <\/b>HIV Medicine Association, said in a statement that the cuts threaten services for people with HIV and hepatitis C.<\/p>\n
\u201cEroding our country\u2019s mental health and substance use prevention and treatment infrastructure will lead to a dramatic rise in HIV and hepatitis C transmissions and many more HIV and hepatitis C outbreaks,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Jonathan B. Singer, PhD, LCSW,<\/b> a professor at Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work and a member of the Healio Psychiatry Peer Perspective Board, said the terminations \u201care devastating on multiple levels.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMy understanding is that all Garrett Lee Smith suicide prevention grants, Zero Suicide, and National Strategy for Suicide Prevention were terminated,\u201d he told Healio. \u201cThere are immediate impacts on people whose jobs are funded though these grants.\u201d<\/p>\n
Singer added that evidence from Garrett Lee Smith analyses show \u201cthat sustained, funded suicide prevention programming reduces suicide deaths.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThese grant terminations will result in more people dying by suicide,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
HHS did not respond to Healio\u2019s request for comment prior to publication.<\/p>\n
Editor\u2019s note: This is a developing news story. Please check back soon for more details.<\/i> <\/p>\n\n
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