National Association of State
Mental Health Program Directors
Serving the Needs of the Nation’s
Public Behavioral Health System
Founded in 1959 and based in Alexandria, VA, the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) represents the public mental health service delivery system in all states, territories, Pacific Jurisdictions, and the District of Columbia. NASMHPD (pronounced “NASH-bid”) is the only national association to represent state mental health commissioners/directors and their agencies.
What’s New
- Join us for Crisis Now 4: “What Works”
Crisis Now 4 is taking place July 28–29, 2026, immediately following the NASMHPD Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. Hosted by RI International in partnership with NASMHPD, the Global Leadership Exchange, and NEAMI Australia, this year’s summit continues a decade of global collaboration to improve behavioral health crisis care. This year’s focus, “What Works,” will showcase effective strategies that save lives, alleviate system strain, and promote sustainable care pathways. Together we can examine how communities worldwide foster compassionate and efficient responses to crises. Space is intentionally limited to preserve the depth of dialogue and connection this work requires.
- CMS Awards Rural Health Transformation Funds and Establishes the Office of Rural Health Transformation
On December 29th, CMS awarded funds to all 50 states under the Rural Health Transformation Program. The Rural Health Transformation Program’s $50 billion in funds will be allocated over five years. States will receive first-year awards from CMS averaging $200 million within a range of $147 million to $281 million. With this funding, states will implement comprehensive strategies to improve care delivery, support providers, and advance new approaches to coordinating health care services across rural communities. The Rural Health Transformation Program State Project Abstracts can be viewed here.
These funds will be administered by CMS’ newly-established Office of Rural Health Transformation (ORHT). Following the creation of the Rural Health Transformation Program earlier this year, CMS has been carrying out this work and has now formally established ORHT within its organizational structure. ORHT will guide states in implementing their rural health transformation plans, provide technical assistance, coordinate federal and state partnerships, and ensure strong oversight and accountability throughout the five-year program.
- NASMHPD Update – January 9, 2026
- CrisisTalk — the podcast — is live.
For over six years, CrisisTalk has been a go-to resource for articles on 988 and mental health and substance use crisis systems. Now, we are pivoting to a podcast format. This includes the same interview-style readers are used to, as well as narrative-driven episodes.
This is a new endeavor and we are learning as we go. Listeners can help by giving us feedback. You can do so by emailing us at editor@crisisnow.com.
Our first series is on AI and mental health. You’ll hear from leaders in the space, like Dr. John Torous, and from guests on how they’re using AI to work through mental health and personal challenges.
You can find us wherever you get your podcasts. That includes Apple, Spotify and iHeart.
- Dr. Pinals Honored with Judge Stephen S. Goss Lifetime Achievement Award
NASMHPD is thrilled to share that our own Dr. Debra Pinals has been awarded with a 2025 Judge Stephen S. Goss Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. Pinals is widely recognized for her leadership in substance use law and policy, civil commitment, law enforcement mental health response, crisis systems, competency restoration, and architectural design of forensic facilities and correctional mental health services. Dr. Pinals has served as chair of NASMHPD’s Forensic and Medical Directors Divisions and currently serves as Senior Medical and Forensic Advisor and Editor-in-Chief. Congratulations, Dr. Pinals! We thank you for all you contribute to NASMHPD and to the field.