(Dec. 14, 2016) Yesterday, President Obama signed HR 34, the 21st Century Cures Act, which incorporates monumental bipartisan reform of our nation's mental health system. These reforms include a host of Treatment Advocacy Center priorities including provisions to reform the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), increase the number of psychiatric beds nationwide, address the criminalization of untreated mental illness, and collect data on the role untreated mental illness plays in our public lives.
The Treatment Advocacy Center is pleased that the Cures Act also prioritizes the use of assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) by greatly expanding the federal AOT grant program for individuals with serious mental illness and by making AOT programs eligible for Department of Justice grant funding. This prioritization ensures that individuals with the most severe mental illness will receive the care they need to live happy and healthy lives.
We will work tirelessly with advocates, on behalf of the individuals with severe mental illness and their families, to ensure these important changes are implemented.
But, we need your help! Donate today to help us continue to fight to eliminate barriers to life-saving mental illness treatment. All donations will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $50,000 until December 31st.
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