The White House appears to be doubling down on its behavioral health efforts in its new 2024 Behavioral Health Budget Proposal, signaling a strong national commitment to expanding mental health care and substance use treatment. The proposed budget focuses on strengthening the behavioral health workforce, increasing access to vital services—including crisis response programs—and advancing mental health research.
“In response to the current behavioral health crisis and in support of the President’s national mental health strategy to strengthen system capacity, connect more Americans to care, and create a continuum of support through the investment in the provision of equitable, evidence-based mental health services,” the proposal states. “HHS will invest in services to provide more Americans with access to the best treatment for mental and substance use disorders where it’s needed.”
Aiming to Transform Behavioral Health Systems
At the heart of the 2024 Behavioral Health Budget Proposal is a $656 million investment to “transform” behavioral health initiatives across federal departments. These funds aim to support reforms such as eliminating lifetime limits on inpatient psychiatric facility services, extending funding for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs), and applying mental health parity laws to Medicare.
The proposal highlights “historic investments in the behavioral health workforce, youth mental health treatment, Certified Community Based Behavioral Health Clinics, Community Mental Health Centers, and mental health research.” These initiatives collectively represent one of the largest federal efforts in recent years to close gaps in behavioral health care and make treatment more accessible to underserved populations.
SAMHSA Receives Major Funding Increase
A significant portion of the 2024 Behavioral Health Budget Proposal goes toward expanding the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) budget to $10.8 billion—an increase of $3.3 billion from the previous year. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra emphasized during a press call that the budget increase would help meet behavioral health needs nationwide. This includes expanding crisis services, strengthening the behavioral health workforce, and addressing substance use disorders that continue to claim thousands of lives each year.
Of SAMHSA’s proposed funding, $5.7 billion will support substance use prevention and treatment efforts—up $1.3 billion from FY2023. Another $4.9 billion will fund mental health initiatives, marking a $2.2 billion increase from last year. These initiatives include expanding community-based programs, pediatric behavioral health services, and resources for individuals living with serious mental illness. According to the 2024 Behavioral Health Budget Proposal, these investments will “address suicide prevention, increase crisis response, and provide direct services to people experiencing homelessness.”
Investing in the Behavioral Health Workforce
The 2024 Behavioral Health Budget Proposal also prioritizes expanding the behavioral health workforce to meet growing demand. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) plans to dedicate $387.4 million of its $2.7 billion budget to training more than 18,000 new behavioral health professionals. This effort aims to increase the number of clinicians, peer support specialists, and community-based providers in high-demand areas across the country.
“One in five American adults has a mental health condition and/or substance use disorder,” the proposal notes. “HRSA’s behavioral health workforce development programs train new behavioral health providers and increase the number of providers practicing in areas of high demand throughout the country.”
In addition, SAMHSA will invest $37 million in its Minority Fellowship Program, which works to expand the number of culturally competent behavioral health providers nationwide. These investments highlight the administration’s commitment to diversifying and strengthening the behavioral health field through training and education.
Advancing Mental Health Research and Innovation
Beyond service delivery, the 2024 Behavioral Health Budget Proposal directs $200 million to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to prioritize innovative mental health research and treatment. This funding will focus on advancing psychiatric care and developing new treatments for addiction disorders. The goal is to improve long-term outcomes for individuals with behavioral health conditions through evidence-based innovation and cross-agency collaboration.
Looking Ahead
While the 2024 Behavioral Health Budget Proposal represents a major step forward in national behavioral health reform, it remains in the early stages. Lawmakers are expected to debate and refine the proposal throughout the year. However, if approved, this budget could mark one of the most transformative federal investments in behavioral health in decades—expanding access to care, bolstering the workforce, and prioritizing innovation to better meet the needs of individuals and families across the country.
Through its 2024 Behavioral Health Budget Proposal, the White House demonstrates a clear commitment to tackling America’s ongoing mental health and substance use crises. By investing in workforce development, expanding access to crisis services, and funding groundbreaking research, the administration aims to create a stronger, more responsive behavioral health system for the future.
