Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the State Office of Mental Health has received two federal grants totaling $13.5 million to expand access to mental and behavioral health services in primary care practices for youth and to implement the “Zero Suicide” model in 13 certified community behavioral health centers. clinics across the state. The awards were announced following the New York State Suicide Prevention Conference in Albany, themed “Changing the discourse on youth mental health: from crisis to prevention.’
“Now more than ever, we must recognize that mental health is a basic human right and that we must do more to help New Yorkers – especially our youth – before they reach a crisis point. » » said Governor Hochul. “With this federal funding, we are redoubling our commitment to improving the mental health care system in our state and ensuring that all New Yorkers – especially our youth and those from vulnerable populations – have access to resources without stigma on which they can rely on to maintain their mental health. positive mental well-being.
New York State received $10 million over five years to expand the collaborative care model – a holistic, team-based approach to treating mental health issues – in 15 primary care practices serving youth, with a focus particularly on advancing health equity. Funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the initiative will address mental and behavioral health issues among youth with co-occurring serious emotional and mental health problems. physical health or chronic illnesses, with the goal of ensuring equitable access to underserved populations.
In addition to technical assistance and support, participating primary care practices will also receive suicide prevention training. Administered by the Office of Mental Health, a significant portion of the funding will be directed to overcoming workforce shortages and developing a sustainable model.
In addition, the Office of Mental Health also received a $3.5 million federal grant over five years to expand the Zero Suicide Model – a systems approach to integrating suicide prevention into the health care system – among 13 certified community behavioral health clinics. The state, one of 15 awardees nationwide, will use the funding to reduce suicide attempts and deaths among people 18 or older in areas served by these clinics, with the intention of helping approximately 50,000 people over the course of the grant.
Governor Hochul’s mental health care plan will more than triple the number of certified community behavioral health clinics across the state to serve approximately 200,000 New Yorkers. First established in 2022, these clinics provide comprehensive services to those in need of behavioral health support, specifically coordinating care across behavioral, physical health, and social service systems.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control released its Survey on risky behavior among young people, which revealed alarming trends in mental health among school-age youth between 2011 and 2021 – particularly among adolescent girls. Nearly a third of adolescent girls seriously considered attempting suicide in 2021, an increase from 19% the previous decade; about three in five people felt constantly sad or hopeless in 2021, twice as many as teenagers and an increase of almost 60% from the rate in 2011.
The report also reveals that young people from marginalized populations are more likely to suffer from mental health problems: more than half of LGBTQ+ students reported poor mental health, and one in five reported attempting suicide during of the past year. Suicide attempts were also higher among black youth than white youth, the report found.
More than 400 advocates, school staff and service providers attended the Suicide Prevention Conference in Albany on Tuesday, October 17 to discuss ongoing efforts to help address New York’s youth mental health crisis and reverse alarming trends across the state. The one-day conference highlighted key elements of a comprehensive response to this crisis, including changing the way mental health is approached in schools, communities and the workplace.
New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said: “We need to do more to support the mental wellbeing of our young people, particularly among marginalized populations. Governor Hochul’s historic plan provides both an evidence-based plan to improve our state’s mental health system and provides the funding needed to build these services and supports. We welcome this commitment as we collectively work to reduce the stigma of mental illness and improve our system of care at all levels across the state.
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer said: “It is critical that we provide more funding to provide mental health care to people in crisis to prevent suicide, save lives and provide pathways to recovery.” That’s why I’m so proud that we fought for and provided New York with this $13.5 million in federal funding for suicide prevention through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, so that It is used in community mental health clinics in New York. I commend Governor Hochul for his dedication to supporting those facing mental health challenges across our state, and I am proud to make this major investment that will provide community support to our most vulnerable residents.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said: “Access to mental health services should be a right, not a privilege. This vital funding will help ensure our young people facing mental health challenges receive the vital support they need. I am proud to support Governor Hochul’s commitment to suicide prevention, and I will continue to fight to make sure everyone has mental health services and resources.
Rep. Adriano Espaillat said: “New York families are facing a mental health tsunami, and it will take a whole-of-government approach to providing support and services to ensure families in need have the support and resources they deserve . I applaud Governor Hochul for today’s announcement allocating $13.5 million in federal funding to expand these preventive services across the state. No family should have to face this crisis alone and today’s actions reaffirm our support for strengthening mental health resources and awareness, as well as our efforts to leave no New Yorker behind .
Governor Hochul secured more than $1 billion in the FY 2024 state budget to overhaul New York’s mental health care continuum and address the unmet needs of young people in mental health over the next five years. Among planned investments to help youth, Governor Hochul’s mental health plan includes $30 million to expand mental health services to school-aged children statewide, including $20 million for mental health services. school mental health and $10 million to implement comprehensive training services; $8.3 million for new and existing school health centers; and $10 million to strengthen suicide prevention programs for high-risk youth.
