Tracking Key Mental Health and Substance Use Policy Actions Under the Trump Administration Authors: Nirmita Panchal and Heather Saunders Published: Apr 7, 2026

Tracking Key Mental Health and Substance Use Policy Actions Under the Trump Administration Authors: Nirmita Panchal and Heather Saunders Published: Apr 7, 2026 https://www.kff.org/mental-health/tracking-key-mental-health-and-substance-use-policy-actions-under-the-trump-administration/ In 2024, over 61 million adults in the U.S. experienced a mental illness and deaths due to suicide, gun violence, and drug overdose remained high. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic and necessary public health responses exacerbated an already existing mental health and substance use crises. At the same time, many people experience difficulties affording mental health treatment or finding providers. Among insured adults who described their mental health as fair or poor, 43% reported at least one time in the past year when they needed mental health services or medication but did not receive them; some groups – including communities of color, youth and young adults – experience greater barriers.