Behavioral Health Conditions Reach Crisis Levels: Counties Urge Stronger Intergovernmental Partnership and Outcomes
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Counties are facing an acute escalation of the mental and behavioral health crisis. In a recent NACo survey, 75 percent of counties reported an increase in the incidence of behavioral health conditions over the past year and 89 percent reported an increase compared to five years ago. While counties work to respond, the financial and human cost of behavioral health is compounding across all county systems: 80 percent of counties indicated that they incurred associated costs in the legal system (courts and jails), 77 percent in law enforcement and 54 percent in the health system and hospitals.
Counties are integral to the local behavioral health system of care, investing $163 billion each year in community health, hospitals and social services, as well as $107 billion in justice and public safety systems. In at least 33 states, counties may provide traditional behavioral health services, but county leaders in every state are confronting the need to innovate when it comes to mental health, whether in county courts, jails, juvenile justice systems, hospitals, parks, libraries, housing and homelessness services or other service areas – especially other services to youth.
Despite the severity of the crisis and its strain on our resources, counties across the nation are: (1) Persevering in expanding direct or indirect behavioral health service systems to care for our residents, and (2) Advocating for federal and intergovernmental policies that support our goal of serving residents and addressing the mental and behavioral health crisis.
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NACo Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing
Launched in February 2023, the NACo Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing brings together county leaders from across the nation to take action to address the ever-growing mental health crisis from the county government perspective.
Congress introduces Second Chance Act reauthorization
On April 16, the Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2024 (H.R. 8028) was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives with robust bipartisan support. NACo supports this legislation, which would reauthorize funding for Second Chance Act (P.L. 110-199) programs for five years.
HRSA offers funds to aid care transitions for justice-involved individuals
On April 10, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced the availability of $51 million in funding opportunities open to HRSA-funded health centers. HRSA-funded health centers, which serve over 30 million patients, play a crucial role in county healthcare systems emphasizing equity and accessibility in healthcare. This new initiative focuses on supporting individuals leaving incarceration by providing health services during the critical 90 days before release, assisting justice-impacted individuals with their return to the community by expanding access to primary healthcare—including mental health and substance use disorder treatment.
Join NACo in celebrating County Health Day on April 19, 2024
County Health Day, which falls during National County Government Month, celebrates the pivotal role counties play in promoting public health and building resilient communities.
FCC takes critical steps to improve the 988 National Suicide Lifeline
On March 21, bipartisan congressional leaders and FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced steps to improve the 988 National Suicide Lifeline. This announcement marks major progress on the nation’s crisis response, a priority for counties and a key policy pillar of the NACo Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing.
Counties Applaud Action to Improve 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
NACo today applauded an announcement from bipartisan congressional leaders and FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel regarding steps to improve the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
House Ways and Means Committee passes bill blocking proposed CMS nursing home minimal staffing rule
On March 5, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means marked up and reported out of committee the Protect America’s Senior’s Access to Care Act (H.R. 7513).
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