1. United States
2. Okla.
3. Letter

The proposed elimination of the certified community behavioral health centers (CCBHC) program threatens vital mental health services for communities across the nation. CCBHCs provide comprehensive and integrated care for individuals with mental health and substance use disorders, including crisis services that save lives. Defunding this program would disrupt access to essential treatment for some of our most vulnerable populations. As a provider, I have witnessed firsthand the positive impact CCBHCs have on improving outcomes and supporting recovery. I work as a therapist at a CCBHC. I work hard to provide life saving services, provide crisis intervention to help individuals stay alive and not die by suicide, and help promote healing and resilience. These centers offer a coordinated continuum of evidence-based services tailored to each client's needs. Cutting funding would force many facilities to reduce staff and services, leaving countless individuals without the care they desperately require. We cannot afford to undermine our mental health safety net when demand for these services continues to rise. CCBHCs play a crucial role in promoting crisis stabilization, preventing hospitalization, and facilitating long-term treatment engagement. Dismantling this program would be detrimental to public health and counterproductive to efforts aimed at addressing the national mental health crisis. Instead of eliminating CCBHCs, increased investment is warranted to expand their reach and enhance our crisis response capabilities across all communities.