The Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line is now live. Call, text, or chat for real-time support, 24/7.
Budget Priorities and Implications for People with Behavioral Health Conditions
The FY23 state budget adopted in July, 2022 includes funding for key MAMH priorities focused on addressing the increased demand for safe housing, behavioral health care, and related social services stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
To learn more about the FY23 budget's implications for individuals with behavioral health conditions and their families, read our FY23 Massachusetts State Budget brief.
For more information on how the budget process works, check out our Massachusetts State Budget Process summary. Note that the FY22 Supplemental Budget is an exception to the usual budget process.
On November 10, 2022, Governor Baker signed Chapter 268 of the Acts of 2022, An Act relating to economic growth and relief for the Commonwealth, into law. This $3.8 billion spending package closes Massachusetts' financial books for the fiscal year 2022 (which ended June 30, 2022) and acts as an economic development vehicle. The law includes provisions that positively affect individuals with behavioral health conditions and their families.
On April 4, 2022, Governor Baker signed a FY22 Supplemental Budget into law. As part of this budget, MAMH led advocacy efforts to secure a $4 million increase for the Department of Mental Health (DMH) Rental Subsidy Program. This is the largest increase the program has received in one year and will help an additional 284 individuals with serious behavioral health conditions secure affordable, supportive housing.
In December 2021, the Governor signed a spending plan that includes $2.55 billion in federal COVID relief funds and $1.45 billion in state FY21 surplus dollars. The plan allocates $400 million to expand access to mental and behavioral health supports and community-based primary care. This includes a $198.650M Behavioral Health Trust Fund that was created to advance an equitable, culturally competent, affordable, and clinically appropriate continuum of behavioral health services.
MAMH serves on the Behavioral Health Advisory Commission, which makes recommendations on the disbursement of money in the fund. MAMH also submitted written testimony with recommendations for how to invest the dollars in the fund.
The FY22 State Budget included many provisions to improve services and supports for individuals with behavioral health conditions and their families.
Interested in getting involved? Learn more about efforts to expand access to behavioral health care, decriminalize mental health, and promote wellness, and Take Action here!