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Governor Healey’s Budget Proposal Sparks Outcry Over Mental Health Cuts

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Governor Maura Healey’s fiscal 2026 budget proposal has ignited significant backlash as it suggests cutting over $80 million from vital mental health programs. Advocates warn that such reductions could severely impact children requiring specialized care, particularly the Three Rivers program, which may face a $15.3 million cut. With increasing demand for mental health services and existing strains on the system, many are calling for a budget that enhances, rather than diminishes, support for mental health.

Governor Healey’s Budget Proposal Sparks Outcry Over Mental Health Cuts

As the budget season heats up, Governor Maura Healey’s fiscal 2026 budget proposal is making waves— and not the kind that anyone wants to ride. Mental health care professionals, along with state legislators, are raising alarms over plans to cut more than $80 million from critical mental health programs serving families across the state. This could have severe consequences, particularly for children who need specialized care.

Showdown Over Essential Services

The potential cuts have put the spotlight on the Three Rivers program, a lifeline for children experiencing severe behavioral issues. Run by Cutchins Programs for Children & Families, this facility located in Belchertown has operated for over 20 years, helping young children aged 6 to 12 and their families navigate the tricky waters of mental health challenges. But without restoration of a proposed $15.3 million reduction from the Department of Mental Health budget, the future of this essential program is under threat.

Imagine the impact: the only facility in the state offering such specialized support for children may close its doors. Erin Molnar knows too well what’s at stake—her nine-year-old son, Tay, found a safe haven at the Three Rivers program, where he received the tailored help he so desperately needed. As demand for mental health services grows, professionals are warning that the proposed increase of just 7% in the Department of Mental Health’s budget is simply not enough to meet rising needs or cover increasing costs.

Stretched Thin

Recent figures reveal the chilling reality that nearly 29,000 individuals were served by the Department of Mental Health in the past year, including over 4,100 youth. The system is already feeling the strain, with children in need of care often stuck waiting. By the end of March, there were reports that as many as 50 children were languishing in hospitals, waiting for a behavioral health bed—a situation no one wants to find themselves in.

While the proposed budget amounts to nearly $1.28 billion for the coming fiscal year, which includes increases in funding, many state officials insist that this budget just won’t be sufficient to cover the increasing payroll demands and the pressing need to expand various mental health services. For example, cuts might forecast a major alteration in case management services, potentially affecting about half of the case managers responsible for approximately 7,000 individuals.

Derick Jenkins, a case manager dedicated to supporting families in need, has emphasized the vital role these case managers play in navigating the complex mental health landscape. As it stands, the proposed cuts could slash services that many families have come to rely on, particularly in adolescent residential care and community-based mental health programming.

Public Outcry and a Call for Change

In light of these proposals, advocates for mental health care have raised serious concerns. They argue that access to care should be prioritized and improved rather than reduced. With high vacancy rates and workforce shortages plaguing the sector, the challenges seem to pile on. The messages are clear: the availability of critical programs like Three Rivers must be strengthened, not pulled back.

Despite the backlash, the Healey administration’s proposals still prioritize funding increases for psychiatric hospitals and other service providers. However, the fear remains palpable that potential federal Medicaid spending cuts could pave the way for deeper budget slashes that would further exacerbate the ongoing crisis.

With a mental health survey conducted last year revealing that nearly half of adolescents and a third of adults in the state reported experiencing psychological distress, it’s evident that the demand for services is urgent. Communities await decisions that will impact lives—especially for vulnerable children like Tay, who deserve timely access to the specialized care they need.

In the end, it’s clear that a budget should aim to enhance crucial mental health services rather than erode them. For families like the Molnars, the fight for adequate care continues as they navigate uncertain waters in a system already stretched far too thin.

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