Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration

Since December 2011, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has extended health coverage to more than 3 million young adults 19 through 25 who were previously uninsured, allowing them access to mental health and substance use disorder services, including prevention, counseling, and recovery support.¹

Young adults with behavioral health challenges can be resilient with the help of family, friends, providers, and other Heroes of Hope. Visit samhsa.gov/children to learn more.

Use these sample messages to share this data point with your connections on Twitter, Facebook, and via email.

Twitter:

The #ACA has extended #mentalhealth & #substanceuse services to more than 3 million young adults http://1.usa.gov/12LzrRW #HeroesofHope

Facebook:

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has extended health care coverage to more than 3 million young adults ages 19 to 25 who were previously uninsured, including access to mental health and substance use disorder services. Learn more about the behavioral health of young adults and pass it on to observe National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day: http://1.usa.gov/12LzrRW

References:

1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, HealthCare.gov. (2012). State-Level Estimates of Gains in Insurance Coverage Among Young Adults. Retrieved from http://www.healthcare.gov/news/factsheets/2012/06/young-adults06192012a.html

For more information on young adults specifically, see these resources:

• Walker, J. S., & Gowen, L. K. (2011). Community-based Approaches for Supporting Positive Development in Youth and Young Adults with Serious Mental Health Conditions. Portland, OR: Research and Training Center for Pathways to Positive Futures, Portland State University. Retrieved from http://www.pathwaysrtc.pdx.edu/pdf/pbCmtyBasedApproaches09-2011.pdf (PDF - 964 KB)
• Gowen, L.K. (Ed.). (2010). Transitions to adulthood. Focal Point: Youth, Young Adults, & Mental Health, 24(1). Retrieved from http://www.pathwaysrtc.pdx.edu/pdf/fpS10.pdf (PDF - 11.08 MB)
• Sowers, J., PhD, & Wood, N. Enhancing Career Development Engagement and Self-Determination for Young Adults with Mental Health Diagnoses. Portland, OR: Research and Training Center for Pathways to Positive Futures, Portland State University. Retrieved from http://www.pathwaysrtc.pdx.edu/pdf/proj1-lit-review.pdf (PDF - 206 KB)