SAMHSA Terminates Mental Health and SUD Grants

Late on Jan.13, 2026, hundreds of grantees received termination letters from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), canceling congressionally appropriated grants. These grants supported critically needed mental health and substance use services, which millions of Americans relied on. Early estimates suggest roughly $2 billion in grants were terminated overnight, despite Congress making mental health funding a bipartisan priority in recent years.

According to the termination letters, grants are ended effective Jan. 13, and “costs resulting from financial obligations incurred after termination are not allowable,” creating immediate harm for providers and clients. These abrupt and unjustified cuts will disrupt suicide prevention, overdose prevention and treatment, family and peer recovery support and mental health education and awareness programs—putting lives at risk in communities across the country.

Contact your members of Congress to express your concern and share your story about how these grant terminations are impacting you and your community. As we receive more information, we will keep our members and the counseling community updated. If you would like to become more involved in ACA’s advocacy, contact us at advocacy@counseling.org.