NAMI reacts to layoffs at SAMHSA, other federal agencies

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) on Oct. 15 released the following statement in response to reports that a significant percentage of the remaining staff at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) have been eliminated. The layoffs at SAMHSA, along with layoffs of key staff at other federal agencies that run programs helping people with mental health conditions, come amid the ongoing federal government shutdown. In the statement, NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. said: “NAMI is deeply alarmed by reports of further staffing reductions at SAMHSA, which threaten to weaken the agency's ability to carry out its critical mission. SAMHSA plays an essential role in strengthening the nation's mental health and substance use systems, supporting community programs, and reaching millions of Americans who rely on these services. The United States is in the midst of an ongoing mental health, overdose, and suicide crisis, one of the most widespread and enduring public health challenges of our time. More than 84 million adults, and millions of children and teens, live with mental health or substance use conditions that affect people in every community, across every background and belief. We cannot afford to undermine the only federal agency charged with addressing what is, for so many Americans, a daily struggle. At a time like this, we need to reinforce, not weaken, the agency dedicated to addressing mental health and substance use conditions. SAMHSA's work saves lives every day, and any action that limits its ability to do so would be a serious step backward.”