Breaking Down the Effectiveness of Current Mental Health Policy in the US

As Mental Health Awareness Month draws to a close, it is important to reconsider the effectiveness of current mental health policy in the United States. The emphasis on “emotional awareness,” which has been the prevailing strategy for the past decade, may not be as impactful as previously thought. The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a federal agency focused on mental illness, promotes the message that it is okay to not be okay. However, the focus on promoting “wellness” for all individuals as a means of preventing mental illness has not been as successful as hoped.

What is urgently needed is effective treatment and services tailored to individuals with serious mental illness and emotional distress, particularly among young people. Many mental health initiatives with a universal approach aim to encourage individuals to pay regular attention to their emotions, discuss them when feeling low, and educate them about the names and symptoms of mental disorders in order to identify potential issues early on. These programs are often directed towards children and include activities such as universal screenings, pseudo-therapeutic social emotional learning, Mental Health First Aid, Mental Health Awareness training, and other prevention-focused programs.

While these programs are well-intentioned and funded by taxpayers through public schools and workplace requirements, their effectiveness in addressing mental health issues remains debated. In fact, SAMHSA’s 2025 budget proposal has requested funding for four specific awareness and prevention initiatives nearly $1 billion – an increase from $207 million in 2021 – but whether these efforts will truly make a difference remains unclear.

Carolyn Gorman, a Paulson Policy Analyst at the Manhattan Institute, raises important questions about these initiatives in her recent piece on RealClearHealth. She emphasizes that critical evaluation of their impact is necessary to ensure that individuals receive the support and services they need effectively address their mental health needs.

In conclusion, while well-meaning initiatives have been launched in recent years aimed at promoting mental health awareness among all individuals