Pandemic relief bill $4.25 billion for mental health services | Elderly Living or Disabled Living

Congressional leaders appear to have gotten the message, designating roughly $4.25 billion for mental health and substance use disorders as part of a mammoth $900 billion stimulus package introduced Monday and that may be voted on by day’s end.

The funding — while just a portion of what was sought by experts — is the largest amount behavioral health groups have received in a single spending bill in recent memory, and represents growing awareness of the mental toll the pandemic is taking on the country, mental health advocates said.

The funding is the largest amount behavioral health groups have gotten in a spending bill. Advocates say more is needed to address historic levels of depression, substance abuse. A nursing home resident receives a plant as part of a mental health program this month. Loneliness and social isolation are […]

Click here to view original web page at www.washingtonpost.com