Trump slashes mental health agency as shutdown drags on [View all]
Source: NPR
October 11, 2025 7:10 PM ET
The Trump administration has laid off more than 100 employees at the nation's main mental health agency, NPR has learned.
Current and former employees at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) told NPR about the layoffs, which were part of a government-wide reduction in force. The sources, who were not authorized to speak publicly about the agency, said the layoffs came late Friday, as the nation's government shutdown dragged on.
Employees were notified of a "Reduction in Force" shortly before 8 p.m. ET on Friday, according to a source within the agency who was not authorized to discuss the layoffs publicly. According to the source, administration officials offered no rationale for who lost their jobs: "I think the general feeling today is shock — and not understanding why?" the source told NPR.
That source was aware of dozens of firings. Two former employees told NPR that the total number of employees at SAMHSA who lost their jobs was around 125, though that number was a rough estimate. SAMHSA had employed around 900 people. The Department of Health and Human Services did not immediately respond to NPR's request for comment.
Read more: https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/10/11/nx-s1-5571948/trump-mental-health-substance-abuse-cdc-layoffs-jobs
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