Trump slashes mental health agency as shutdown drags on
Summary
The Trump administration has laid off over 100 employees at SAMHSA, the U.S. mental health agency, during a government shutdown. SAMHSA manages the 988 suicide prevention hotline and provides grants for mental health and addiction services. The layoffs are part of wider reductions affecting several government agencies.Key Facts
- Over 100 employees were laid off at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency (SAMHSA).
- The layoffs occurred amid an ongoing government shutdown.
- SAMHSA oversees the 988 suicide prevention hotline and distributes billions in mental health and addiction service grants.
- The agency had approximately 900 employees before the layoffs.
- President Trump's administration previously proposed cutting SAMHSA's budget.
- The Department of Health and Human Services did not comment on the layoffs.
- Similar staff cuts occurred at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) but some were reversed.
- SAMHSA was created in 1992 and played a key role in the U.S. mental health system.
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