Living a balanced life includes taking care of your mental health to best show up for yourself and your loved ones. Yet it is far more difficult than it sounds, and mental health struggles are common among people from all walks of life. Federal agencies support the research, prevention initiatives and community funding programs that are designed to combat mental illness and support those in need.
Public servants working for you
Dr. John Palmieri, Richard McKeon, James Wright and the 988 and Behavioral Health Crisis Coordinating Office, Department of Health and Human Services
Established a new 988 national three-digit suicide prevention and drug crisis telephone, text and chat lifeline service, using research on the barriers faced by people who experience mental health struggles. This team’s work has enabled more people to receive assistance than the previous 10-digit phone line while providing quicker professional support.
Workforce departures at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration hindered the ability of the agency to disperse funds for programs such as Project AWARE that addresses mental health at schools to prevent school violence.
STAT NewsFrontline care providers were left in confusion as the Trump administration canceled and then restored almost $2 billion in federal grants for substance use and mental health.
NPRThe Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration workforce decreased more than 40% between September 2024 and February 2026, reducing their ability to support the 988 Lifeline.