Tell Congress to Take Action on Behavioral Health Priorities in FY2026!

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Tell Congress to Take Action on Behavioral Health Priorities in FY2026!

May is Mental Health Month—Now’s the Time to Act

As Congress considers funding and legislative priorities, it’s critical that they hear from constituents like you. Millions of Americans—especially youth and young adults—are facing unprecedented mental health challenges. We need bold, evidence-based policy solutions that ensure access to care, expand the behavioral health workforce, and prevent crises before they occur.

Here’s What We’re Asking Congress to Do:

1. Protect Medicaid-- Medicaid is the backbone of our nation’s mental health system. It funds critical services including therapy, hospitalization, peer support, and crisis response—especially in rural areas, where need is highest and resources are most limited. Cutting federal Medicaid support would force states to slash services or coverage for working adults who may not have access to employer-sponsored insurance.

2. Support Early Intervention with the EARLY Minds Act (H.R.1735/S.779)-- Right now, states can only use Community Mental Health Services Block Grant funds for people already diagnosed with a mental illness. The EARLY Minds Act would change that, allowing states to invest in prevention and early intervention programs that catch issues before they escalate.

3. Expand Youth Peer Support with the Peer-to-Peer Mental Health Support Act (S.906)-- Peer support gives young people a safe space to talk to others who’ve been through similar challenges. It’s been shown to reduce crises, hospitalization, and involvement in the justice system. This bill would allow schools to use federal funds to launch and expand these programs.

4. Fund the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at $613 Million for FY2026-- Since launching in 2022, 988 has handled more than 14.5 million calls, texts, and chats. But growing demand requires sustained investment. Increased funding will support local crisis centers, train staff, and ensure no call for help goes unanswered.

Your Voice Matters

The mental health of our communities depends on smart federal investments and policies that prioritize prevention, access, and support for all Americans. Help us protect the progress we’ve made—and push for more. Let’s make sure mental health stays at the top of the Congressional agenda. Send a message to Congress today!

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Take Action

Urge Your Members of Congress to Invest in Sustainable Funding for Mental Health in FY 2024

MHA affiliates are meeting with congressional offices on Wednesday, March 8th, to elevate the needs of individuals on the ground and request funding increases for states and for federal programs that promote mental health and crisis response. We are also seeking additional coverage of peer specialists in Medicare.

Last year, we saw unprecedented investment in mental health programs and services by Congress. But, many officials think they are done. Help us make them understand that one-time funding just won’t cut it.

As our country faces continued impact of the COVID-19 public health emergency, we ask you to send a letter to your elected officials in support of: prevention and early intervention in the Mental Health Block Grant, youth-focused initiatives at the CDC, peer support coverage in Medicare, and 988 operations and education.

Please take action now!

US Congress

Subject: Constituent Request: Take Action on Behavioral Health Priorities in FY2026!

Message:

In honor of Mental Health Month, I am reaching out to remind you that mental and behavioral health continue to be pressing concerns in our nation, especially for youth and young adults. Addressing the challenges faced by those seeking to improve their mental health must continue to be a priority for Congress, so I appreciate your consideration of the following requests: 1. Protect current federal funding levels for Medicaid. Medicaid plays a vital role in supporting the behavioral health workforce and ensuring access to essential services such as therapy, hospitalization, rehabilitation, medication, peer support, and crisis care. In rural areas, where workforce shortages are most severe and rates of suicide and overdose are highest, Medicaid is especially critical. I strongly oppose any effort to reduce the federal share of funding for Medicaid expansion, as it would force states to cut services or eligibility for working adults who may not have access to employer-sponsored insurance. 2. Co-sponsor and pass the EARLY Minds Act (H.R.1735/S.779), which would allow states to use a small portion of their Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG) for prevention and early intervention activities. Research consistently shows that early action can help prevent mental health conditions from becoming more serious and more costly to treat. Currently, states are only permitted to use MHBG funds on those who already have a diagnosis. The EARLY Minds Act would lift that restriction and enable states to invest in upstream solutions. 3. Co-sponsor and pass the Peer-to-Peer Mental Health Support Act (S.906), which would allow schools to use funds from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for youth peer support programs. Youth peer support facilitates connections between young people with shared mental health experiences and helps them develop skills to manage the challenges they face. Peer support is known to reduce the risk of behavioral health crises and more costly outcomes, such as hospitalization or incarceration. Please co-sponsor this legislation and help expand critical school-based mental health resources. 4. Fund the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and Crisis Services program at $613 million for FY2026. Since the launch of the 988 number in 2022, the Lifeline has responded to over 14.5 million contacts, providing life-saving support to both adolescents and adults. As call volume continues to grow, increased funding is needed to strengthen national and local crisis center operations, improve training and clinical best practices, and ensure no call goes unanswered. With so many Americans– especially young people– experiencing mental and behavioral health challenges, we must prioritize policies that offer practical, evidence-based opportunities to strengthen our mental health system and support recovery. Thank you for your consideration and your leadership on this critical issue.

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