Mental health and substance use are inextricably linked. A third of adults, and nearly half of young adults (18-25) had either mental illness or substance use disorder (SUD) in 2024. Among adults with mental illness, a third also had SUD, and among those with SUD, nearly half also had mental illness. Those with mental illness are more likely to use substances. Some people use substances to self-medicate or cope with mental health challenges. Mental health conditions are a risk factor for substance use disorder, and mental health and substance use disorders share many of the same underlying risk factors.
Many of the same strategies that help prevent substance use can also help prevent mental health disorders, and ensuring early identification and treatment of mental health is also a form of substance use prevention.
Research shows that primary prevention efforts that build resilience and coping skills, empower youth, promote mental well-being, and strengthen relationships between youth and their families, schools, and communities are effective, as well as cost-saving. However, prevention remains under-resourced and under-utilized.
Importantly, the federal Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant includes a requirement that states use 20% of the funds for prevention purposes. This set-aside creates the main source of substance use prevention funding for states.
However, the federal Community Mental Health Services Block Grant, the largest source of mental health funding for states, does not include the same requirement. In fact, states are currently prohibited from using these funds for prevention and early intervention services. The funds are unable to be used until a person has a diagnosed mental health disorder, preventing effective efforts to help young people before they are experiencing a crisis.
Given the importance of prevention, states should have the flexibility to use mental health funds for prevention and early intervention services.
The Early Action and Responsiveness Lifts Youth (EARLY) Minds Act would give states this flexibility. It would allow states to use up to 5% of Community Mental Health Services Block Grant funds for evidence-based prevention and early intervention services, such as education, screening, outreach, and peer services.
Investing in prevention of mental health disorders will help address not only mental health, but also substance use, along with other outcomes such as violence and school dropout.
Send a letter to your members of Congress urging them to support the EARLY Minds Act, as prioritizing prevention is key to addressing the ongoing toll of mental health and substance use disorders.