Senator Marshall Announces $2.8 Million for COVID-19 Relief

(Topeka, KS, January 21, 2021) – Today, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has granted $2.8 million in COVID-19 relief. The funding will go to the Kansas State Department for Aging and Disability Services and provide for help with mental health and substance use disorder.

“We in Congress have a responsibility to provide our communities with the resources necessary to fight mental health and substance abuse disorders – particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Senator Marshall. “Over the past year we have seen organizations across Kansas doing the important work of helping people escape addiction and find hope. This critical grant will help KDADS in this ongoing fight as well.”

Background:

The emergency grants issued by HHS will go towards Kanas’ efforts to address mental health and substance use disorders during COVID-19. Specifically, the purpose of this program is to provide crisis intervention services, mental and substance use disorder treatment, and other related recovery supports for children and adults impacted by COVID-19. KDADS developed a comprehensive plan of evidence-based treatment services including medication-assisted treatment, inpatient treatment, medical/psychiatric assessments, 24-hour mobile crisis teams, peer recovery support services, and more. Telehealth and virtual services will be provided.

Congress passed monumental legislation to curb the opioid epidemic but the COVID-19 outbreak stalled America’s road to recovery. Nationwide, reported substance use disorders and mental health issues have been on the rise. The CDC reports that over 40 percent of respondents in a 2020 study self-reported adverse mental or behavioral health condition, including anxiety, depression, trauma or stress-related disorder, substance abuse, or suicide ideation. Compared to 2019, reports of anxiety were approximately three times higher and reports of depression four times higher in 2020.

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