Bill Overview
Title: REACHING Improved Mental Health Outcomes for Patients Act of 2022
Description: This bill reauthorizes through FY2027 various activities related to mental health services and resources. It also establishes grants for assisted outpatient treatment programs. Specifically, the bill reauthorizes a policy laboratory housed within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) that promotes evidence-based practices and service delivery models. Additionally, the bill reauthorizes grants and similar assistance for projects and programs to address priority mental health needs of regional and national significance, integrated primary care and behavioral health care at the community level, community-based systems to respond to behavioral health crises, programs to raise awareness about mental health services and resources in communities and train community members about how to respond appropriately and safely to individuals with mental disorders, suicide prevention and intervention programs for individuals over age 25 who are at risk of suicide, and assertive community treatment programs for individuals with the most severe functional impairments associated with mental illness. The bill also requires the Center for Mental Health Services within SAMHSA to award grants to localities, mental health systems, mental health courts, or other entities for assisted outpatient treatment programs (i.e., medically prescribed mental health treatment that is lawfully ordered by a state or local court and that a patient receives while living in a community).
Sponsors: Rep. Griffith, H. Morgan [R-VA-9]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals needing access to mental health services and programs
Estimated Size: 50000000
- The bill impacts individuals needing mental health services across the United States who would benefit from improved access to those services through reauthorized and new programs.
- Assisted outpatient treatment programs are being established, impacting individuals who require court-ordered mental health treatment while living in the community.
- The bill focuses on individuals with the most severe functional impairments associated with mental illness, targeting assertive community treatment programs.
- Prevention and intervention programs for individuals over age 25 at risk of suicide suggest a large target group among adults facing mental health crises.
- Reauthorization of community-based systems to respond to behavioral health crises extends impact to individuals experiencing behavioral health issues that are managed at a community level.
- Community training initiatives indicate a broad impact on people in communities who would engage through awareness and response training for mental health crises.
Reasoning
- The bill is aimed at increasing access and improving mental health services through reauthorization and creation of new programs.
- The inclusion of grants for assisted outpatient treatment programs targets individuals needing court-ordered mental health care while living in communities.
- Many programs focus on both prevention and intervention, reflecting a dual approach to management and crisis mitigation in mental health care.
- The policy will likely have varying impact levels based on the severity and type of mental health care needs within different segments of the population. Some individuals may experience high impact from the policy changes, while others may see little to no change.
- Commonness scores are assumed based on the prevalence of mental health issues among U.S. adults and the existing accessibility of mental health services.
Simulated Interviews
Therapist (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe this policy could enhance the delivery of mental health services.
- Integration of primary and behavioral health care is crucial for holistic treatment.
- Assisted outpatient treatment programs will help those who often fall through the cracks.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Community worker (Austin, TX)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Increased funding can significantly improve crisis intervention capacities.
- Training programs are vital for effective response in community mental health crises.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Student (New York, NY)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm hopeful that these initiatives will improve access to counseling services.
- Community-based training might foster a more supportive environment.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Retired (Chicago, IL)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Assisted outpatient treatment is crucial for people like me.
- Continuation of these services is essential for stability.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Unemployed (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am concerned about the bureaucracy involved in accessing these new programs.
- Assertive community treatment could help people like me maintain stability.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Research assistant (Denver, CO)
Age: 23 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's great to see increased funding for mental health services, but implementation is key.
- Training programs can empower communities to better handle mental health crises.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Veteran (Miami, FL)
Age: 54 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Outpatient treatment programs will benefit veterans with mental health issues.
- Access to these services need to be streamlined for effectiveness.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Tech worker (Seattle, WA)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Integration of care at the community level is a smart move.
- Promoting evidence-based practices is overdue and much needed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Graduate Student (Boston, MA)
Age: 27 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Assertive community treatment initiatives might really help elevate community mental health standards.
- It will be fascinating to see the longitudinal impacts of these new policies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Factory worker (Detroit, MI)
Age: 47 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The bill might provide necessary resources for families struggling to cope.
- There's a need for clear information on how to access these programs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $58000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $66000000)
Year 2: $60000000 (Low: $52000000, High: $68000000)
Year 3: $62000000 (Low: $54000000, High: $70000000)
Year 5: $66000000 (Low: $58000000, High: $74000000)
Year 10: $70000000 (Low: $62000000, High: $78000000)
Year 100: $100000000 (Low: $90000000, High: $110000000)
Key Considerations
- The bill targets reauthorization and expansion of several mental health initiatives.
- The focus on community-based responses suggests a need for cooperation with local governments.
- There is a potential need for adjustment in funding allocation based on program success and evolving community needs.