Substantial investments in mental health care services were included in the $1.7 trillion spending package that President Joe Biden signed into law late last month. The bill will fund the federal government through September 2023.

According to a press release from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the bill will improve crisis care by providing $501.6 million for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, a $400 million increase over last year; and $20 million for the Mental Health Crisis Response Partnership Pilot Program, double last year’s appropriation, to help communities establish mobile response teams of non-law enforcement personnel. Medicare payments for certain crisis services will increase in 2024, and the Department of Health and Human Services is now required to issue guidance on developing an effective crisis continuum of care.

In addition, the mental health workforce will expand by adding marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors as covered provi...