NAMI recently released its third annual survey tracking state mental health budgets and identifying legislative trends across the country. The report, State Mental Health Legislation: Trends, Themes and Effective Practices, shows state investment in mental health services slowing nationwide, but commends several states — including California — for enacting model measures to improve mental health services.
NAMI names California’s 2015 legislation among the bright spots in the nation, citing enforcement of mental health parity as well as alternative sentencing for offenders with mental health conditions.
California maintained is funding for mental health services in 2015 after increases in the previous two years, according to the NAMI survey. Nationwide, 23 states increased mental health budgets, with 12 states decreasing and 14 states maintaining their budgets from the previous year.
Click here to read the full report