Press Releases
Kuster Hosts Roundtable with NH Leaders on Support for Substance Use and Mental Health Services Included in American Rescue Plan
Concord,
May 18, 2021
**The Kuster-backed American Rescue Plan includes critical support for New Hampshire**
Concord, N.H. — Today, Rep. Annie Kuster (NH-02) hosted a virtual roundtable with New Hampshire substance use and mental health leaders to provide an update on how the American Rescue Plan will support their critical services in New Hampshire. Today, New Hampshire’s congressional delegation announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will award NH $10,671,860 in federal grants allocated through the American Rescue Plan to support efforts to combat the substance use disorder epidemic and increase access to mental health services in the state in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The need for accessible mental health and substance use disorder treatment has skyrocketed during the pandemic, and the American Rescue Plan addresses these challenges head-on,” said Rep. Kuster. “From bolstered support for SAMHSA programs to robust funding to train health and public safety professionals, this plan is moving our country forward to return stronger than before while enhancing the quality of life for all of our communities here in New Hampshire and across the country.”
“With Granite Staters, young and old, reporting increased anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts, the need for a robust system of mental health care has never been greater,” said Susan Stearns, Deputy Director of NAMI NH. “It will take our collective action and will to create real change and improve lives and health outcomes for ourselves and our loved ones. The increased funding for mental health services in the American Rescue Plan offers individuals and families in our state real hope that mental health crisis care will be there when we need it.”
Founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Addiction and Mental Health Task Force, Rep. Kuster is a leader in Congress to advance evidence-based approaches to end the substance use crisis and provide support to those who need it most. Last month, Kuster introduced her legislation, the Support, Treatment, and Overdose Prevention of (S.T.O.P) Fentanyl Act of 2021 to bolster surveillance and research, deploy resources to combat overdose deaths, connect individuals with treatment programs, and support ongoing prevention and public safety activities.
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