Governor Hochul signed new legislation to support working people who are facing job-related mental health crises. This law will allow any worker to file for workers' compensation for specific types of mental injury premised on extraordinary work-related stress. Signing this law continues Governor Hochul's commitment to addressing the mental health crisis in New York, including by investing $1 billion to transform the continuum of care.
The New York State Office of Mental Health today announced that members of the Daniel’s Law Task Force will conduct a virtual meeting at 3 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 9, to discuss recommendations to be included in a written report.
The Office of Mental Health announced the successful launch of a new Safe Options Support or ‘SOS’ team to help bring stability to individuals who are experiencing chronic homelessness in two upstate counties. Operated by the Monroe Plan for Medical Care, the new team is assisting individuals in Onondaga and Oswego counties, including those with mental health and substance use challenges.
The Office of Mental Health announced the successful launch of a new Safe Options Support or ‘SOS’ team to help bring stability to individuals who are experiencing chronic homelessness in three upstate counties. Jointly operated by Catholic Charities of Cortland County and Rehabilitation Support Services, Inc., the new team is assisting individuals in Cortland, Tompkins and Tioga counties, including those with mental health and substance use challenges.
New York State highlighted efforts that are underway to bolster physical and behavioral health care and expand services for rural populations, which often encounter barriers to these services.
The Office of Mental Health announced the groundbreaking for an intensive crisis stabilization center to provide voluntary urgent care services for individuals experiencing symptoms of mental health or substance use crises and needing immediate stabilization or treatment. Developed by CN Guidance & Counseling Services in the Nassau County hamlet of Hicksville, the Community Crisis Center will help stabilize individuals in crisis before connecting them other community-based services and supports.
The Office of Mental Health announced the successful launch of a new Safe Options Support or ‘SOS’ team to help bring stability to individuals who are experiencing chronic homelessness in two rural counties in the Southern Tier. Operated by the Monroe Plan for Medical Care, the new team is assisting individuals in Steuben and Chemung counties, including those with mental health and substance use challenges.
The Office of Mental Health announced the first in-person meeting of New York’s Youth Mental Health Advisory Board, accomplishing a key initiative laid out during Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2024 State of the State address. The 30-member advisory board has representation from 19 counties located in every region throughout the state and includes youth between the ages of 11 and 17, providing a broad array of perspective.
The Office of Mental Health announced that the Daniel’s Law Task Force will conduct a meeting to review findings and discuss next steps. Task force members will review research, landscape analysis, and stakeholder input during the meeting, which is scheduled from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 29, and will be streamed live.
The Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) launched the OASAS Leadership Academy, a new initiative to train hundreds of addiction professionals which will support and enhance the addiction workforce through the state, with the goal of retaining current and attracting new mid-level managers to the field. The leadership academy is a partnership with Kingfisher Services, and OASAS is providing $2,375,000 through the New York State Opioid Settlement Fund to support this initiative.
Governor Hochul announced awards amounting to nearly $90 million over five years to help six providers across the state establish services that provide critical support to youth struggling with complex mental health issues. Administered by the State Office of Mental Health, the critical time transition program will serve youth between the ages of 11 and 17 to help them utilize one-on-one support, provide stability for the child and their family, and help the child avoid extended stays in emergency departments or psychiatric emergency programs.
The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, in conjunction with the State Office of Mental Health, announced the successful completion of the first ever scenario-based training exercise for the Disaster Mental Health Response Team. The event was held at the DHSES State Preparedness Training Center in Oriskany from September 17 – 18, bringing together more than 76 professionals and volunteers from across the state.
The New York State Office of Mental Health announced that nearly $3.7 million in federal funding has been awarded to help prevent suicide among at-risk youth and young adults on Staten Island. Administered by OMH’s Suicide Prevention Center of New York, the funding over five years will help implement the ‘MISSION’ project, which combines clinical interventions for at-risk youth and young adults with suicide prevention approaches
The state Office of Mental Health announced that bridges and landmarks across New York will be lit in teal tonight, Wednesday, Sept. 18, to mark Suicide Prevention Month. The lighting coincides with efforts the agency is undertaking to connect New Yorkers with mental health resources, including a year-long public awareness campaign focused on the state’s 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
During Suicide Prevention Month in September, the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) highlights available resources to help older adults and caregivers facing suicide risk, as well as little-discussed data on the incidence and unique risk factors for suicide in the older population.
The state Office of Mental Health announced the launch of a pilot program aimed at increasing mental wellness among workers in the Capital Region’s construction industry. Developed by OMH’s Suicide Prevention Center of New York, the Building Hope Through Action program will focus on the construction industry, an industry with one of the highest suicide rates in the nation.
Governor Hochul signed legislation and announced a new statewide, multimedia campaign to help prevent suicide and promote mental health. Legislation S1865B/A6563A — the Student Lifeline Act — requires colleges across New York State to print information about the State’s 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline on all student ID cards. In conjunction with Suicide Prevention Month in September, the Governor and the State’s Office of Mental Health launched a $5 million campaign to raise awareness of 988, which is free, confidential, impartial, and can be accessed any time of the day or night by phone, text, or chat.
The Office of Mental Health and the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York announced completion of an $8.5 million addition to Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center in Oneida County. The 22-month project constructed a new gymnasium and expanded outdoor recreation areas for the facility, which is based the city of Utica and operates satellite locations elsewhere in the region.
Governor Hochul announced more than $24 million to expand HealthySteps, an innovative program that supports young families across New York with high-quality care for mental and physical health development for children under 3 years old. This funding will support up to 50 new HealthySteps sites as part of plans to grow the program to serve 350,000 children statewide by 2027.
Governor Hochul announced the completion of Riverview Apartments, a new 60-unit affordable apartment building in the town of Corinth, Saratoga County. The $24 million zero-emissions development includes 30 supportive units with on-site services for eligible households. In the past five years, New York State Homes and Community Renewal has created or preserved more than 900 affordable homes in Saratoga County.
The Daniel’s Law Task Force will conduct a meeting from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 26, which will also be streamed live. Members will hear from senior leaders at the state Division of Criminal Justice Services on crisis service training for law enforcement, and updates on outreach activities from a consulting firm working with the task force.
The Office of Mental Health announced that eight Safe Options Support or ‘SOS’ teams are now canvassing areas in upstate New York, helping individuals who experience chronic homelessness connect with the services and supports designed to bring them lasting housing stability.
Governor Hochul held a roundtable discussion with local educators and stakeholders in the Hudson Valley as part of her statewide listening tour focused on addressing smartphone use in schools. This follows several recent sessions in the Capital Region, Long Island, Southern Tier and Western New York, and will continue with additional discussions with key stakeholders over the coming months.
The state Office of Mental Health announced the availability of $7 million to fund and expand the use of the Individual Placement and Support, an evidence-based program that helps individuals living with behavioral health issues work at regular jobs of their choosing. The second round of state funding follows nearly $3.4 million issued to seven providers earlier this year to help them to increase employment options at agency-licensed and designated outpatient rehabilitation programs.
Governor Hochul unveiled Liberty Landing, a transformative project to convert the state-owned 100,000 square-foot former Bayview Correctional Facility in Manhattan into affordable housing for low-income residents and supportive housing for formerly incarcerated individuals reentering the community. The proposed project, a joint venture between Camber Property Group and Osborne Association, would invest over $108 million in West Chelsea and provide 124 permanently affordable housing units and on-site supportive services.
Governor Hochul announced five conditional awards totaling $15 million over five years to help community-based service providers to develop innovative programs that will help reduce suicide risk among youth from historically underserved populations. Administered by the Office of Mental Health, the state funding through the Connecting Youth to Mental Health Supports program will help develop programs and suicide prevention strategies among racial and ethnic minority populations and LGBTQ+ groups, including those in rural areas.
The Daniel’s Law Task Force will conduct a meeting from 11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 24. The meeting will be streamed live and will provide an opportunity for task force members to begin synthesizing the information gathered since their inaugural meeting in August 2023.
Governor Hochul announced $45 million has been awarded to six projects across New York State that will create 227 units of permanent supportive housing in Erie, Tompkins, Oneida, St. Lawrence, and Kings counties for families and individuals who have experienced homelessness.
Governor Hochul announced completion of Canal Commons, a development that converted a historic 19th century manufacturing facility in Rochester into 123 affordable apartments, including 70 units with on-site support services.
Governor Hochul announced that a total of $39.1 million in state funding was awarded to nine community-based hospitals to develop new comprehensive psychiatric emergency programs. Once established, the programs will increase the statewide total to 31 and provide needed capacity to serve thousands of additional individuals who experience a behavioral health crisis.
Governor Hochul announced completion of Harison Place, an affordable and supportive housing development with 40 apartments and commercial space that replaces a row of blighted buildings in the heart of downtown Malone in Franklin County.
The Office of Mental Health announced the Suicide Prevention Task Force has reconvened with 32 members participating in its inaugural meeting this month. Overseen by the agency, the reconvened Task Force is aimed at building upon the recommendation made by its predecessor to strengthen public health approaches, enhance health system competencies, improve data surveillance methods, and infuse cultural competency in the state’s suicide prevention strategy.
Governor Hochul: “This is my top priority at the end of session, just a few days left... If we, as the elected adults and the adults who care deeply about them from all across New York, if we don't listen to their cries for help and see the damning data, then we have failed in one of our most important, what I would say instinctive responsibilities, our duties, which is to keep our children safe.”
Governor Hochul met virtually with parents from advocacy organizations across New York State to discuss her ongoing efforts to combat the youth mental health crisis. The Governor highlighted her push for nation-leading legislation addressing online safety and the harmful impacts of social media in the final days of the 2024 State Legislative Session.
Governor Hochul announced the historic Moyer Carriage and Car Factory in the city of Syracuse has been transformed into a 128-unit, mixed-use, affordable and supportive housing development. This newly completed development adds to the region’s supply of housing at a critical time for Central New York’s growing economy, which is highlighted by the $100 billion in investment in semiconductor manufacturing over the next 20 years.
Governor Hochul met with advocates from the Mental Health Association in New York State (MHANYS) to highlight her ongoing investments in mental health resources for young New Yorkers, including expanded access to innovative youth and teen Mental Health First Aid training programs. The Governor reiterated her commitment to enacting nation-leading legislation addressing online safety and the harmful impacts of social media in the final weeks of the 2024 State Legislative Session.
Governor Hochul: “If we can't stand up and help our children get out of a crisis, then we have failed them. And I, as the Governor of the State of New York, don't accept failure as an option. So, this is the urgency that I'm bringing to this cause.”
The New York Post published an op-ed by Governor Kathy Hochul highlighting her push to pass bills to combat addictive social media feeds and protect kids online before the end of the legislative session on June 6.
Governor Hochul: “We talked about how some of the students have the discipline to set social media aside during the school day. Others, there's just a pull that's constantly there. And it's something that we've been talking about — this epidemic of suffering — throughout this particular age group and younger, and especially girls.”
Governor Hochul hosted a roundtable with students from Williamsville East High School in Erie County to discuss the youth mental health crisis and the challenges posed by unhealthy and excessive social media use. The Governor reiterated her commitment to enacting nation-leading legislation addressing online safety and the harmful impacts of social media in the final weeks of the 2024 State Legislative Session.
Governor Hochul announced that a total of $30 million in state funding was awarded to nine community-based hospitals to add 109 new inpatient psychiatric beds statewide. Administered by the State Office of Mental Health, these awards can be used to cover design, property acquisition, and construction costs associated with adding new inpatient beds, which is among the priorities included in Governor Hochul's landmark $1 billion plan to strengthen New York’s mental health system.
Governor Hochul: “None of us needed a poll to tell us that New Yorkers expect us to take action to protect the youngest from these addictive algorithms. Every generation has its own challenges... We're going to take action to protect today's young people from the defining problem of our time, and that is the mental health challenges that they're experiencing.”
Governor Hochul reinforced her commitment to protecting the mental health of kids and teenagers by making it a top priority to enact nation-leading legislation addressing online safety and the harmful impacts of social media in the final weeks of the 2024 State Legislative Session. The Governor also highlighted significant progress in bringing mental health care and resources directly to more young people in their homes, schools and communities statewide.
New York State announced up to $2.7 million is available to develop Flexible Assertive Community Treatment teams to serve New Yorkers living with serious mental illness, but who are disengaged from the traditional system of care. Administered by the state Office of Mental Health, the funding will help establish 37 multidisciplinary teams, which will have the flexibility to provide critical outpatient mental health services based on the evolving needs of the individuals enrolled for treatment.
Governor Hochul announced progress in the ongoing efforts to assist individuals experiencing chronic homelessness on the streets and in the subways of New York City into stable housing. The Safe Options Support initiative has successfully helped more than 450 of these New Yorkers – many of them living with mental illness – into permanent or specialized housing designed to help stabilize their lives.
New York State announced the availability of nearly $3.5 million to cover start-up costs for 13 new Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, which will triple the number operating in the state and greatly expand the areas providing person-centered and trauma-informed care for individuals experiencing behavioral health issues.
Governor Hochul announced resources to support the Buffalo community in response to the horrific shooting at Tops Supermarket, including additional state investments, rides to local grocery stores, and funding to cover funeral expenses for victims.
Governor Hochul announced construction has begun on Center City Courtyard in downtown Rochester, an affordable housing development featuring 164 apartments, including 95 units for individuals experiencing or at-risk of homelessness who will have access to on-site supportive services.
The Office of Mental Health announced that $1 million was conditionally awarded to three service providers to fund suicide prevention efforts among youth and young adults identifying as transgender, gender non-conforming and non-binary and help those questioning or struggling with gender identity.
Governor Hochul recognized May as Mental Health Awareness Month throughout New York State, issuing a proclamation, and directing that 15 state buildings and landmarks be illuminated in green at dusk this evening to raise awareness around mental and behavioral health care. The lighting highlights the Governor’s landmark $1 billion mental health plan, which adds capacity system-wide, expands existing programs with a record of success, funds new evidence-based initiatives and increases direct engagement at every stage of service over multiple years.
OMH announced that the Daniel’s Law Task Force will host its next stakeholder listening session to continue gathering feedback from the public. Registration is open for the latest stakeholder listening session at the Kate Gleason Auditorium in the Central Library of Rochester & Monroe County from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 8, which will also be streamed live.
Governor Hochul announced an investment of more than $33 million in the State’s FY 2025 Enacted Budget to expand mental health services for individuals who are living with mental illness and involved in the criminal justice system. During a visit to the Midtown Community Justice Center in Manhattan, the Governor discussed how this funding will help ensure those individuals with a history of mental health treatment, lack of engagement in treatment, or other mental health concerns can connect with necessary services and supports, and experience better outcomes.
Governor Hochul: “New Yorkers are compassionate. They see fellow New Yorkers, fellow human beings, in the throes of their own crisis. They are suffering… and we don't want to see people locked up as the solution. That is not what's going to stop what is happening out there on the streets. So, we want them to get the help they need, get the stability, get the path toward a healthy life. And I'm really proud to say that we have a whole range of holistic investments as a result of our Budget.”
Governor Hochul announced key mental health investments for New Yorkers as part of the FY 2025 Budget. Building on the investments from her $1 billion multi-year plan to strengthen the state’s continuum of mental health care, the FY 2025 Budget adds capacity system-wide, expands existing programs with a record of success, funds new evidence-based initiatives, and increases direct engagement at every stage of service.
Governor Hochul announced the historic investments included in the FY 2025 Enacted Budget which was passed by the Legislature this weekend. The $237 billion budget makes record investments in the people of New York without raising income taxes. It includes hundreds of new initiatives that will help fight crime, fix our mental health system, and build more housing so people can afford to live and thrive in New York.
Governor Hochul announced that construction has begun on a $40 million affordable housing development for seniors in the city of White Plains. Mt. Hope Plaza will feature 56 affordable apartments, including 20 for individuals in need of supportive services. The development is located on an underutilized property formerly owned by the Mt. Hope A.M.E Zion Church, which agreed to make the land available for affordable housing.
Governor Hochul announced the launch of New York’s inaugural first responder mental health needs assessment to better understand the mental health-related challenges facing the public safety community and strengthen programs and services for these professionals. Stemming from a partnership between the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services and SUNY New Paltz’s Institute for Disaster Mental Health and Benjamin Center, the assessment will include results from a voluntary anonymous survey and input from a series of focus groups for first responders.
Governor Hochul announced that nearly $4 million has been awarded to 77 community-based providers to establish, enhance, or expand access to specialized treatment for New Yorkers with complex mental health care needs. Administered by the New York State Office of Mental Health, the awards are part of the Governor’s $1 billion plan to strengthen the state’s mental health care system by adding capacity system-wide, expanding existing programs with a record of success, funding new evidence-based initiatives, and increasing direct engagement at every stage of service.
OMH announced that the Daniel’s Law Task Force will host a virtual listening session on April 16 from 3pm to 5pm to gather additional feedback from the public. The session will be live-streamed and registered attendees will be able to make public comments. Registration is open on the Office of Mental Health website and only required for those interested in making remarks.
OMH announced that up to $100,000 is available to fund projects aimed at reducing the stigma often associated with mental illness. Funded through voluntary contributions made by taxpayers when filing their returns, the Mental Illness Anti-Stigma Fund tax check-off program provides $20,000 in one-time grants for anti-stigma initiatives.
Governor Hochul announced that $30 million will be made available to develop three new residential treatment facilities for children and adolescents that require on-site care. Administered by the New York State Office of Mental Health, the capital funding will help construct the new facilities in New York City, on Long Island, and throughout the Hudson River regions and provide added capacity for youth statewide.
Governor Hochul launched a $102 million effort to broaden wraparound care for individuals with serious mental illness. Governor Hochul announced more than $92 million will be deployed to develop 26 Critical Time Intervention teams, which provide continued support and care coordination for individuals living with mental illness. In addition, Governor Hochul also announced that up to $10 million will be deployed to develop additional ‘Safe Options Support’ teams that focus on youth and young adults; the Safe Options Support initiative has already helped nearly 390 long-term homeless individuals move from the streets into stable housing. This new funding is part of Governor Hochul's nation-leading $1 billion plan to transform the mental health continuum of care.
Governor Hochul announced that $4 million was awarded to establish a new Intensive and Sustained Engagement team to serve individuals with complex mental health needs in the city of Rochester and Monroe County. Administered by the state Office of Mental Health, the state funding will establish New York’s fourth peer-led team to provide intensive support services for individuals with complex needs, but who have difficulty connecting with traditional forms of mental health care.
Governor Hochul announced the completion of River Avenue, a 245-unit affordable and supportive housing development in the Concourse section of the Bronx. The transit-oriented development includes over 20,000 square feet of commercial space and offers on-site supportive services for families and individuals experiencing homelessness.
The Office of Mental Health announced that the Daniel’s Law Task Force will host its next member meeting virtually from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday, March 22. The meeting will be streamed live online and will include a period for members of the public to provide feedback to the task force.
Governor Hochul announced steps to combat the youth mental health crisis, following a convening of students, faculty and mental health professionals at Mohonasen Central School District. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 1 in 4 teens have considered suicide, a significant increase from a decade ago, and for teenage girls, that number rises to 1 in 3. In response to this crisis, the Governor’s actions announced today will expand mental health support for children across the state, protect them from harmful social media features, and ensure their voice is heard.
Governor Hochul: “We're announcing that the applications can start today. You don't have to wait till the RFPs go out. It's not once a year. It is a rolling application because to me there is an urgent need to get more schools involved in this. We have over $20 million in our budget to fund this, and I want to add more and more across the State of New York.”
Governor Hochul announced the statewide expansion of a program that has successfully rehoused hundreds of individuals experiencing chronic homelessness in New York City, including many who struggle with severe mental illness, after successfully helping 330 long-term homeless New Yorkers get into stable housing. Administered by the Office of Mental Health, the Safe Options Support program has expanded to serve the Finger Lakes, Capital Region, Southern Tier, Hudson Valley, Erie County, Westchester County and Long Island to provide support and help find permanent housing for individuals experiencing homelessness on the streets.
State University of New York Chancellor John B. King, Jr. announced the application opening for the SUNY/Office of Mental Health Scholarship Program. Established in August 2022 by Governor Kathy Hochul with a $4 million federal investment, the program provides scholarships, paid internships, fee waivers for graduate school applicants, and more to support students in mental health degree programs.
Governor Hochul highlighted resources available through State government to improve mental health and combat loneliness, as New Yorkers gather to celebrate Valentine's Day. Developed in partnership with Dr. Ruth Westheimer, renowned intimacy therapist and New York's honorary ‘Ambassador to Loneliness’, these resources offer simple measures New Yorkers can take in their lives – from reaching out to friends to volunteering in their community – to help them and their loved ones avoid and address feelings of loneliness, and to prevent social isolation.
Governor Hochul announced State University of New York campuses are investing nearly $10 million in annual State funding to increase their mental health services and support for students, faculty, and staff. This investment will expand services at 28 campuses, support more than 200,000 students, and build on its Statewide Tele-Psychiatry Network (STPN) and new tele-counseling option for community colleges.
Governor Hochul announced $30 million in supportive housing funding to serve older adults, survivors of domestic and gender-based violence, veterans and chronically homeless families, and individuals with a mental illness or substance use disorder. Administered by the State Office of Mental Health, the eighth round of funding through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative resulted in 122 awards, which will provide conditional funding for services and operating expenses for up to 4,839 units of supportive housing.
Governor Hochul awarded $100 million for 50 school districts and BOCES to address pandemic learning loss and provide students with mental health support. The funding will expand student access to evidence-based interventions to combat learning loss and also help staff and students identify and respond to mental health concerns. Today’s announcement builds on Governor Hochul’s priority to expand mental health support for students.
OMH announced a new training center dedicated helping behavioral healthcare providers implement evidence-based practices free of charge so they can offer improved services to children and their families. Supported with a $4.3 million investment of state funding, the Center for Workforce Excellence will bring evidence-based behavioral health training and technical assistance to eligible community-based organizations serving youth and families, which will help reduce disparities for people served by smaller providers, such as in rural areas.
Governor Hochul announced the availability of $50 million to help community-based hospitals expand access to mental health treatment for children and adults across New York State. This funding, part of Governor Hochul's $1 billion investment to transform the mental health continuum of care, will allow these facilities to add new inpatient capacity.
Governor Hochul announced a series of actions to help New Yorkers from every community grow and thrive as part of her 2024 State of the State address. These actions include expanding support for New Yorkers with disabilities through increasing integration, employment and independent living opportunities; making new commitments to support indigenous nations; taking action to strengthen data privacy for abortion providers and strengthening services for LGBTQ+ and TGNCNB New Yorkers; and expanding support for and recognition of New York State's veterans.
Governor Hochul unveiled new initiatives to support children and families across New York as a part of her 2024 State of the State address. The Governor’s proposal will expand access to high quality health care for New York’s children and ensure that no child in need misses out on critical health care services.
Governor Hochul announced expanded efforts to protect the mental health of kids and teenagers as part of her 2024 State of the State address. The measures include establishing a school-based mental health clinic in any school that wants one; passing new legislation to protect kids online; convening youth mental health advisory boards; and expanding loan repayment programs for children’s mental health practitioners.
Governor Hochul announced a plan to address the public safety challenges associated with serious mental illness as a part of her 2024 State of the State address. The Governor’s proposal will provide a new, significant expansion of psychiatric beds and services for individuals with acute needs.
As part of a comprehensive approach to improving the health and well-being of New Yorkers, Governor Hochul announced initiatives to stabilize and transform the health care delivery system, expand access to affordable insurance, enhance primary and preventive health care, and protect New Yorkers against ballooning medical debt.
OMH announced that the Daniel’s Law Task Force will host the next in a series of stakeholder listening sessions aimed at gathering feedback from the public. Registration is now open for the second stakeholder listening session at the at the State University of New York at Stony Brook’s Charles B. Wang Conference Center from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 11, and also streamed live.