Mental Health, Homelessness & Privacy: What You Need to Know About the New Executive Order

theymatter4
Jul 29
3 min read

Disclaimer: This blog post is intended for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, medical, or mental health advice. The information presented about President Trump’s executive order is based on publicly available sources as of July 2025 and may be subject to change. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please seek professional help or contact a qualified healthcare provider. Your privacy and rights are important; for personalized advice regarding legal or medical concerns related to mental health, please consult appropriate professionals.

In recent days, there's been a wave of confusion and concern across social media regarding President Trump's new executive order on homelessness and mental health. Many people are asking:

“Can I still talk about my mental health online?”
“Will I be forced into treatment if I open up about depression?”
“Is this targeting LGBTQIA+ people or people with disabilities?”

We want to take a moment—not to alarm you, but to inform you—so you can feel safer, stronger, and supported.

What Is This Executive Order About?

Signed on July 24, 2025, the executive order encourages local governments to address growing homelessness, especially among those with untreated severe mental illness or substance use disorders.

It:

Promotes involuntary civil commitment in extreme cases, where people are unable to care for themselves and may be a danger to themselves or others.
Emphasizes the removal of tent encampments, public drug use, and loitering through law enforcement.
Encourages the redirection of federal funds away from harm-reduction services (like safe-use programs and housing-first models) and toward institutional treatment.
Most notably, it opens the door for large-scale data collection on individuals who are homeless or have mental health conditions.

What Are Advocates Saying?

This is where the privacy concern comes in—and it’s very real.

Both the National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have spoken out.

They warn that the order:

Represents a “fundamental violation of the right to privacy”
Could be used to surveil or track unhoused individuals or those living with mental illness
Risks criminalizing and dehumanizing already marginalized communities

You can read their official responses here: ACLU Statement on the Executive Order NAEH Response

What This Does NOT Mean

It’s important to clarify what this order does not do:

It does not mean that anyone who talks about anxiety, depression, PTSD, trauma, or other conditions will be institutionalized.
It does not target the LGBTQIA+ community, though many fear that marginalized groups may be disproportionately affected.
It does not remove your right to seek help, therapy, support, or speak out online.

Why We’re Sharing This

We're sharing this not to instill fear—but to empower you with clarity and compassion.

Your voice is still safe. Your story is still powerful. And your mental health still matters.

Yes, we need to stay alert and continue to fight for privacy, dignity, and compassionate care. But we must not let fear push us into silence.

This is the moment to speak even louder—for yourself, and for those who feel voiceless.

What Can You Do?

Stay informed. Read from trusted sources and advocacy groups.
Talk about your mental health. It's brave and life-saving.
Support compassionate policy, not punishment. Contact your local representatives.
Look out for your community. Especially those who are unhoused, disabled, or marginalized.

Need Support Right Now?

You are not alone. You are not broken. You are not a threat.

If you’re struggling, text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor. Free. Confidential. 24/7.

Let’s continue to advocate for care, not control.Let’s stand for dignity, not surveillance.Let’s speak truth with compassion—and never let fear have the final word.

You Matter. Always.