Experts: Possible federal budget cuts to mental health services could be deadly in Ohio
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A leaked federal budget draft outlines drastic cuts to mental health services, and if it's passed, experts say the impact here in Ohio could be deadly.
Those we spoke with say the money that goes into services, like the 988 crisis hotline, is saving lives. Every day, five Ohioans die by suicide, and organizations we spoke with say that number would grow if critical funding needs are not met.
The federal budget proposes cuts impacting some of the most vulnerable groups; potential cuts at the state level could impact everyone.
The federal Health and Human Services draft budget recommends eliminating the money set aside within 988 for support specifically for LGBTQIA+ youth.
'It's a place of disappointment, and it's more of the same. Like, what do we do now? Because the hits just keep coming. I find the decision to be very cruel and obviously discriminatory and very, very, very irresponsible,' Kaleidoscope Youth Center Executive Director Erin Upchurch said.
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It's not just this group that faces the impact.
'The cuts that have been proposed at the federal level and in this draft that we've been seeing could be devastating to communities, especially populations that are really struggling with suicide, whether that's LGBTQ or African American or whatever marginalized community,' Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation Executive Director Tony Coder said.
Ohio has nineteen call centers across the state to help those in crisis, receiving almost half a million texts, calls, and chats since it started.
'We know that 988 is saving lives. In addition to saving lives, we are also reducing burdens on many local resources, like law enforcement and 911. We know that we can handle the vast majority of calls and de-escalate them right over the phone so that they don't need any follow-up support. So that means that those individuals aren't going to the emergency department,' Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Director LeeAnne Cornyn said.
Proposed cuts are not just at the federal level.
'Our focus is to continue to serve Ohioans every single day with 988,' Cornyn said. 'But we also continue to have conversations with members of the general assembly about the importance of this, the value that it brings to the state of Ohio.
Governor Mike DeWine proposed $31 million for the 988 help line in the coming fiscal year, $41 million for the year after. The Ohio House proposed budget cuts that number to $20 million each fiscal year.
'These are not wants. These are needs of communities to save lives. I would challenge any state or federal, or administration member to come and face the families that we deal with. Because every day we see loss and we see hurt, but we also see healing. And we don't want to lose that healing part,' Coder said.
Both of these budgets are drafts right now. The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation says they are hopeful they can continue having conversations with the legislature about what this funding does.
'It can feel hopeless at times, and I think I would invite folks to not be absorbed by that hopelessness. There is so much we can do together,' Upchurch said.
'We need every voice because a lot of folks who are struggling don't have a voice. They're trying to make it every day. So if you have even a tiny inkling of care for mental health, call your legislator today,' Coder said.
We reached out to Senators Bernie Moreno and Jon Husted for comment, but have not yet received a response.
If you or a loved one is struggling with mental health, you can find resources here.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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