The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) released a comprehensive analysis of state legislation passed in 2024 aimed at improving access to mental health care. The report, “2024 State Legislation Issue Brief Series: Trends in Access to Mental Health Care State Policy,” highlights state-level policy responses to barriers in accessing mental health services and treatment.
Addressing barriers through state legislation
Studies routinely show that half of adults with mental illness receive treatment in a given year, illustrating the significant gap between those who need care and those who access it. NAMI identifies many barriers to accessible, comprehensive, and affordable mental health care. The organization’s strategic priority includes helping people receive the best possible mental health care through policy reform. The 2024 legislation reviewed by NAMI falls within six key categories: child and adolescent mental health, mental health workforce, health insurance, medication access, inclusive care, and housing.
Scope and strategic approach
The issue brief focuses specifically on state policies that impact individuals’ access to mental health care and services, though it is not comprehensive. Rather, it discusses trends that improve access through state policies and is intended as a usable resource for advocates and stakeholders. The brief is the second publication in a larger series—NAMI’s 2024 State Legislation Issue Brief Series—which also examines new state mental health laws addressing criminal justice and 988 crisis services. Featured legislation provides examples that other states may consider implementing.
Call for continued reform
Every individual with a mental health condition deserves care that meets their health, cultural, and linguistic needs and treats them with dignity and respect. The country continues to experience a mental health crisis with more people needing care yet too many barriers to getting that care. NAMI encourages state policymakers to learn from one another and consider the policy recommendations in the brief to improve access to mental health care in their states.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.nami.org/research/publications-reports/public-policy-reports/2024-state-legislation-issue-brief-series-trends-in-access-to-mental-health-care-state-policy/