NAMI Releases Issue Brief Exploring Trends in Access to Mental Health Care State Policy

May 23, 2024

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, NAMI released a new publication, Trends in Access to Mental Health Care State Policy. This issue brief provides highlights on state legislation passed in 2023 that will improve access to mental health care.

There are many barriers to accessible, comprehensive and affordable mental health care. Studies routinely show that less than half of adults with mental illness receive treatment in a given year. The issue brief highlights state legislation passed in 2023 that will improve access to mental health care, and includes policy recommendations that may be implemented in states across the country, within the following key categories:

• Mental Health Workforce
• Parity
• Medicaid and Private Health Insurance
• Medication Access
• Telehealth
• Statewide Systems Planning

This brief is the second publication in a larger series – NAMI’s 2023 State Legislation Issue Brief Series – which examines new mental health laws from 2023 addressing criminal justice, 988 and crisis services and youth mental health. Read NAMI Trends in Access to Mental Health Care State Policy here.