“Every Virginian deserves access to high-quality, affordable mental health care,” wrote senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine in a press release.  “The last few years have underscored the importance of access to mental health services, and we’re glad this funding will help more Virginians reach the care they need.”

The senators announced Aug.25 more than 1 million dollars in federal funding for the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services with the purpose of expanding access to mental health care. 

This funding was awarded by the U.S Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Community Mental Health Services Block Grant program. 

The funding was possible because of an act that the senators helped pass,  the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA). BSCA was created to “make communities safer” according to the act. The bill funded several mental health changes across the nation along with school safety and gun violence. 

In 2023, Virginia was federally funded more than 25 million dollars, this was also made possible through the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant program. 

Warner and Kaine have supported the expansion of mental health care through another act, the CONNECT for Health Act, this act according to a press release released by the senators will “expand coverage of telehealth services, including mental health treatment and treatment for substance use disorders.” 

Earlier in August, the senators announced more than 10 million dollars in federal funding to expand access to health care in rural parts of Virginia. 

 “All Virginians, no matter where they live, should have access to high-quality, reliable health care,” said the senators in the news release.