Trump slashes mental health agency as shutdown drags on

Geoff Brumfiel

Rhitu Chatterjee

October 11, 2025 / 4:10 pm

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, admi

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