President’s Message for February 2025
Governor’s Budget Proposes Cuts to DMH
The annual budget process in the Commonwealth begins with the governor releasing a budget in January. Governor Healey’s proposal increases the overall budget for Health and Human Services by 9% while including cuts to mental health and substance use programs. Plans include facility closings, mental health staffing cuts, and reduced funding for substance abuse programs.
There are $82.7 million in proposed cuts to the Department of Mental Health budget. That include the closure of the Pocasset Mental Health Center on Cape Cod which provides partial hospitalization/day treatment, inpatient treatment, individual and group therapy, and specialized programs for young adults. The budget also include cutting half of DMH case workers, about 170 staff members, who provide outpatient support and connect individuals to needed services. The Bureau of Substance Addiction Services, which operates under the umbrella of the Department of Public Health, is likely to see an approximate 9% percent cut of $18.9 million.
A January 23rd article in The Boston Globe, “Health and Social Service Programs see Significant cuts in Mass. Budget Proposal” by Jason Laughlin and Chris Serres notes, “The Executive Office of Health and Human Services, which accounts for more than half of the state’s proposed $61.9 billion budget in fiscal year 2026, is responsible for overseeing services including public health, child welfare, MassHealth, and public assistance programs. The administration proposed increasing the office’s overall budget by 9 percent in the coming year, to $33.3 billion. Departments that would benefit from the overall increase include those responsible for senior services and support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, which are slated for budget increases.”
The Boston Globe article closes with this: “Daniel Shark, HHS’s assistant secretary for administration and finance, said during a presentation on the budget Wednesday that the staff cuts wouldn’t result in reduced services and reflect new ways DMH is delivering services. “This reflects a shift to a more streamlined short-term practice management program,“ he said. ”It will better serve people’s needs." Case workers would receive help transferring to other HHS jobs, state officials said. DMH’s overall budget is pitched at almost $1.3 billion.”
DMH Commissioner Meets with NAMI on 2/11 to Discuss Budget
The NAMI Massachusetts Advocacy team arranged for Brooke Doyle, Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health, to meet with NAMI members to discuss the budget plan. The online meeting is set for February 11th, 5:30-6:45. Please register at this Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/JXTPntBwQj2IMZrLGr5A8w.
College Panel Next Month
Coming up in March, we have our annual College and Your Mental Health Panel. Stay tuned for registration details for the March 31st event. The program prepares students and parents for transition and success in a college environment for those living with a mental health condition. Our panel includes a student currently balancing college life and mental health challenges and administrators from Middlesex Community College, UMass Lowell, and Boston University. Students, parents/caregivers, and high school counselors are invited to participate.
Speakers Programs February 20th
Don’t miss the opportunity to see one of NAMI’s community speaking programs online this month on February 20th. Each offers two NAMI trained speakers. In Our Own Voice features individuals living with mental health conditions who consider the questions, what happened, what helped, and what’s next. Sharing Our Stories offers the perspective of family members loving and supporting someone living with long term mental health concerns. Click here for details and registration: namicentralmiddlesex.org/newsletter/janfeb2025/online-speaker-programs. The program goals include changing attitudes and assumptions, dispelling stereotypes and misconceptions, and providing an opportunity to ask questions.
NAMI Walks!
We have big news for spring! The NAMI MA Walk event is scheduled for Saturday, May 17th. We’ll be back in the Boston Common! Save the date for this heart warming event. Registration will be open soon. Let us know if you can help with preparations and outreach.