Gov. Kathy Hochul, joined by the state’s Workplace of Psychological Well being Commissioner Ann Sullivan, introduced “sweeping investments” in psychological well being companies, particularly for youth, in a press convention on Jan. 11, 2023.
Photograph Emily Swanson
Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday was joined by Bronx elected officers, metropolis companies, advocates and suppliers to announce $50 million in funding for the growth of psychological well being amenities.
The announcement was made Jan. 11 on the Bronx campus of the New York Metropolis Youngsters’s Middle in Westchester Sq., a state-run facility with places all through the town. The $50 million is a part of a $1 billion multi-year investment to considerably broaden psychological well being companies all through the state.
“By constructing a full continuum of psychological well being companies and helps for youth, we will guarantee our younger individuals and their households can entry applicable ranges of care that may enable them to stay and thrive in much less restrictive settings,” mentioned Dr. Ann Sullivan, commissioner of the state’s Workplace of Psychological Well being, in an announcement.
“The Bronx is main with a lot progressive work on this difficulty,” Hochul mentioned.
On the press convention, she pointed to the nice want for psychological well being companies, particularly for youth, which she addressed at size in her State of the State tackle on Jan. 9.
Too many youngsters, Hochul mentioned, are “spiraling” from the consequences of the pandemic, and she or he blamed social media algorithms for guiding youngsters to addictive and harmful content material that exacerbates their trauma. She is working with Lawyer Common Letitia James on a bill that would impose restrictions on the social media content material proven to youth with out mother and father’ consent.
Hochul additionally famous that an general scarcity of healthcare employees and lack of insurance coverage protection will be additional obstacles to individuals of all ages receiving applicable psychological well being care. And if younger individuals are left untreated, she mentioned, they’ll stay unhealthy as adults.
Within the Jan. 11 announcement, Hochul particularly vowed that each college — public or non-public — that desires a psychological well being clinic will be capable of have one.
Along with in-school care, the psychological well being funding will take purpose at increasing psychological well being courts, inpatient beds, and transitional housing, amongst different initiatives.
“For too lengthy, [mental health] has been defunded and deprioritized — and now we’re feeling the consequences,” mentioned Hochul. “No New Yorker ought to really feel deserted, tossed apart.”
Attain Emily Swanson at [email protected] or (646) 717-0015. For extra protection, comply with us on Twitter, Fb and Instagram @bronxtimes
