Skip to Main Content

Office of Mental Health

Latest News

PRESS RELEASE

New York State Recognizes Rochester Youth for Inspirational Advocacy Efforts

May 16, 2023

New York State is honoring Isaiah Santiago, a Rochester-based Youth Peer Advocate, with the 2023 ‘What’s Great in our State’ Youth/Young Adult Award. This award recognizes young people with lived mental health experience who have utilized their own experiences to make a positive impact in their community.

PRESS RELEASE

New York State Recognizes Long Island Mother for Empowering Other Families

May 16, 2023

New York State is honoring Heather Tafuro, a Regional Parent Advisor from Long Island, with the 2023 ‘What’s Great in our State’ Family/Caregiver Award. This award recognizes family members or caregivers who have made a difference in their community through their professional or volunteer work, using their own lived experience.

PRESS RELEASE

New York State Recognizes Central New York School District for its Impact on Student Mental Wellness

May 16, 2023

New York State is honoring the Frankfort-Schuyler Central School District with the 2023 ‘What’s Great in our State’ School/School District Award. This award recognizes education systems that have increasingly acknowledged the importance of supporting wellness and addressing the mental health needs of its students.

PRESS RELEASE

New York State Recognizes Hudson River Program for its Efforts to Improve Children’s Mental Health

May 16, 2023

New York State is honoring The Mental Health Association of Columbia and Greene Counties with the 2023 ‘What’s Great in our State’ Community/Organization Award. The organization helps economically disadvantaged youth make connections, build relationships and develop problem solving skills.

PRESS RELEASE

New York State Recognizes New York City Doctor with Lifetime Achievement Award

May 16, 2023

New York State is honoring Dr. Jean Holland, a children’s mental health advocate and provider in New York City, with the 2023 ‘What’s Great in our State’ Lifetime Achievement Award. The Lifetime Achievement award is given annually to recognize professionals and volunteers who have shown a lifetime commitment to strengthening the mental health of children, youth, and families.

PRESS RELEASE

New York State Recognizes Statewide System of Care for its Dedication to Children’s Mental Health

May 16, 2023

New York State is honoring the Intensive Treatment Program at OLV Human Services with the 2023 ‘What’s Great in our State’ System of Care Award. A System of Care (SOC) is a coordinated network of cross-system partners that collaborate using governance or infrastructure to achieve their vision and goals.

PRESS RELEASE

On the One-Year Anniversary of Mass Shooting at Tops Supermarket in Buffalo, Governor Hochul Announces Nearly $10 Million to Address Vital Needs of East Buffalo

May 14, 2023

Governor Hochul announced nearly $10 million in investments and grant awards as part of the state's ongoing efforts to address the needs of the East Buffalo community. Today marks the one-year anniversary of the white supremacist terror attack at Tops Supermarket in Buffalo on May 14, 2022.

PRESS RELEASE

OMH Announces Major Milestone for Mobile Access Program

May 10, 2023

The Office of Mental Health (OMH) announced a major milestone for the agency’s emergency Mobile Access Program (MAP) which recently conducted its 1,000th counseling session for individuals in emotional distress.

PRESS RELEASE

Governor Hochul Announces More Than $7 Million to Support Medication for Addiction Treatment

May 8, 2023

Governor Hochul announced more than $7 million for 15 providers across New York State to support medication for addiction treatment by establishing comprehensive, low-threshold buprenorphine services. These programs are designed to meet the ongoing need for medication and other addiction services by providing same-day, immediate enrollment in buprenorphine treatment and care management.

PRESS RELEASE

Governor Hochul Highlights $1 Billion Plan to Overhaul New York State's Continuum of Mental Health Care

May 8, 2023

Governor Hochul highlighted her $1 billion transformative, multi-year investment to overhaul the State's continuum of mental health care and drastically reduce the number of New Yorkers with unmet mental health needs. The Mental Health Care Plan was passed as part of the FY 2024 Budget, and will increase inpatient psychiatric treatment capacity, dramatically expand outpatient services, boost insurance coverage, and develop thousands of more units of supportive and transitional housing for people with mental illness.  

PRESS RELEASE

Governor Hochul Announces Investments to Create a Stronger Health Care System for the Future

May 3, 2023

Governor Hochul announced the passage of transformative measures to create a stronger health care system for New York State, both today and into the future, as part of the FY 2024 Enacted Budget.

PRESS RELEASE

Governor Hochul Announces Passage of $1 Billion Plan to Overhaul New York State’s Continuum of Mental Health Care

May 3, 2023

Governor Hochul announced a $1 billion transformative, multi-year investment to overhaul the State’s continuum of mental health care and drastically reduce the number of New Yorkers with unmet mental health needs.

PRESS RELEASE

State Buildings and Landmarks Lit in Green for Mental Health Awareness Month

May 1, 2023

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and hundreds of buildings across the nation will be lit in green -- the color of mental health awareness -- to mark the occasion and encourage people to learn more about mental wellness.

PRESS RELEASE

Governor Hochul Announces More Than $20 Million for Supportive Housing Projects

April 27, 2023

Governor Hochul announced more than $20.1 million for housing projects in the New York City region to provide permanent supportive housing for individuals who have experienced homelessness and to fund repairs at an emergency shelter in Albany County. Supported by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance's Homeless Housing and Assistance Program, the four developments will provide 423 units to serving formerly homeless individuals, including those with a mental illness or substance use disorder, among others.

PRESS RELEASE

OMH Announces $33 Million Investment to Combat Street Homelessness Through Safe Options Support Teams

April 27, 2023

The NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH) today announced awards totaling $33 million over five years to create seven new Safe Options Support (SOS) Teams that will provide intensive outreach, engagement and care coordination services to individuals living with mental illness who are homeless and unsheltered, often living on the streets.

PRESS RELEASE

Governor Hochul Announces First Recipients of the $4 Million Mental Health Scholarship Program

April 11, 2023

Governor Hochul announced the first recipients of the $4 million scholarship program to support underrepresented students entering or enrolled in mental health degree programs at the State University of New York and the City University of New York. The program is made possible by a federal grant awarded to the New York State Office of Mental Health.

PRESS RELEASE

Governor Hochul Announces $13 Million Available to Expand Home-Based Crisis Intervention Services for Children and Youth

April 7, 2023

Governor Hochul announced the availability of more than $13 million in state funding to expand access to Home-Based Crisis Intervention teams throughout New York State. Administered by the state Office of Mental Health, this funding will help create 13 new teams and expand 26 existing ones, enabling them to provide critical mental health services so that at-risk children and youth can avoid psychiatric hospitalization.

PRESS RELEASE

Governor Hochul Announces $1.4 Million to Help East Buffalo Residents Impacted by Tops Market Shooting

March 31, 2023

Governor Kathy Hochul announced more than $1.4 million in federal funding to support mental health programs in East Buffalo following the tragic Tops Market Shooting last year. Administered by the State Office of Mental Health, the awards include funding for six community-based organizations to provide an array of mental health resources to help residents impacted by the racially motivated shooting that killed ten individuals last year.

PRESS RELEASE

Governor Hochul Announces Availability of $2.2 Million for Programs to Connect New Yorkers with Addiction Services

March 30, 2023

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the availability of $2.2 million through the state's Opioid Settlement Fund to help connect vulnerable New Yorkers to addiction services and other critical supports. Administered by the state Office of Addiction Services and Supports, the "Connections to Care" initiative will provide up to 11 grants for eligible providers to connect individuals in high-need and underserved populations to the services that will support long-term substance use disorder recovery and overall well-being.

PRESS RELEASE

NYS Department of Health Encourages New Yorkers to Prepare for Public Health Insurance Renewals

March 23, 2023

The New York State Department of Health today announced that beginning this spring and continuing through spring 2024, more than 9 million New Yorkers enrolled in Medicaid, Child Health Plus and the Essential Plan will need to renew their health insurance. Enrollees in these public health insurance programs have not had to renew their coverage since early 2020 due to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) continuous coverage requirements

PRESS RELEASE

Governor Hochul Launches Statewide Listening Tour on Youth Mental Health

March 16, 2023

Governor Kathy Hochul announced a statewide series of listening sessions and a spring summit aimed at exploring the issues impacting the mental health of youth throughout New York State. Together, these initiatives will build on the Governor's $1 billion plan to overhaul New York State's mental health continuum of care and provide an opportunity for experts to advise state leaders on future policy recommendations to improve youth wellness.

PRESS RELEASE

Governor Hochul Announces $10 Million Available to Improve Mental Health Services for Youth and Families

March 10, 2023

Governor Kathy Hochul announced $10 million in state funding is available to create a pair of statewide networks that youth and families will be able to rely on for behavioral health information, support, and services. Administered by OMH, the funding will help establish two separate networks, including one dedicated to helping youth and another aimed at assisting families.

PRESS RELEASE

Governor Hochul Joins Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff and HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra for a Roundtable with Latino Community Leaders to Discuss Equity in Mental and Behavioral Health Access

March 10, 2023

Governor Kathy Hochul joined Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff and Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra for a roundtable with Latino community leaders to discuss equity in mental and behavioral health access.

PRESS RELEASE

Governor Hochul Announces $3.75 Million to Support Outreach and Engagement Services for Addiction

March 8, 2023

Governor Hochul announced that up to $3.75 million is available to expand outreach and engagement services designed to connect vulnerable populations with addiction supports and other health services.

PRESS RELEASE

OMH to Open a Trauma-Informed Network and Resource Center

March 6, 2023

The New York State Office of Mental Health has provided an award of $9.5 million over five years to Coordinated Care Services, Inc. (CCSI) for the establishment of a Trauma-Informed Network and Resource Center to advance understanding of trauma, the use of trauma-informed principles, and the availability of trauma-informed care throughout the state.

PRESS RELEASE

Governor Hochul Announces $3.2M to Support Outreach and Engagement Services for Addiction

March 3, 2023

Governor Hochul announced the availability of $3.2 million to expand outreach and engagement services in high-need areas of New York State. Administered by the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports, the grants through the Opioid Settlement Fund will expand harm-reduction and other healthcare services to engage New Yorkers unable to access care due to a variety of factors.

PRESS RELEASE

OMH Secures Federal Grant to Help Increase Employment Opportunities for People Living with Mental Illness

March 2, 2023

New York State has been awarded a technical assistance grant from the federal Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) that will help the State to increase employment opportunities and outcomes for people living with mental illness.

NEWS

Treating Tobacco Use Disorder in Behavioral Health Populations: Innovative Approaches and Uses of Approved Medications

February 24, 2023

A new report out from the Center for Health Systems Improvement for a Tobacco Free New York offers new ways to address tobacco use disorder. Providers can find information on FDA-approved medications and other recommendations.

PRESS RELEASE

Governor Hochul Announces Details of $1 Billion Plan to Overhaul New York State's Continuum of Mental Health Care

February 2, 2023

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced details of her comprehensive $1 billion multi-year plan to overhaul the continuum of mental health care and drastically reduce the number of individuals with unmet mental health needs throughout the state.

NEWS

Office of Mental Health provides $4 million in funding for new PeerTAC program

February 1, 2023

A new partnership launched in January will provide training, technical assistance, and consultation to New York State mental health practitioners and organizations using peer support services — credible service providers that share similar backgrounds, ages, and other lived experience with those in need of mental health services who may otherwise not get them.

PRESS RELEASE

Department of Health Issues Determination for the Use of Telemedicine for New Yorkers Struggling with Mental Health and Opioid Use Disorder

January 31, 2023

As opioid-related deaths continue to rise, New York State Department of Health Acting Commissioner Dr. James McDonald issued a commissioner's determination allowing authorized health care practitioners to continue using telemedicine as an option to treat and prescribe to New Yorkers battling opioid use disorder, limited to the duration of the federally-declared public health emergency due to COVID-19.

PRESS RELEASE

Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams Announce Significant Progress on Subway and Transit Public Safety Initiatives

January 27, 2023

Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams today announced new data that shows significant progress on subway and transit public safety initiatives introduced last year. Last October, the Governor and Mayor announced that the NYPD and the MTAPD would surge officer presence on platforms while expanding capacity at the New York State Office of Mental Health to support unhoused individuals who are sheltering in the subway system and those who are suffering from severe mental illness.

PRESS RELEASE

Governor Hochul Announces Availability of $7.5 Million for Opioid Treatment Programs

January 20, 2023

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the availability of up to $7.5 million for state-certified providers (including OMH licensed agencies) and other treatment programs to establish low threshold buprenorphine services to address opioid addiction and save lives.

PRESS RELEASE

Governor Hochul Announces More than $390 Million in Financing to Build More than 1,600 Affordable and Supportive Homes Across New York State

January 19, 2023

Governor Kathy Hochul announced more than $390 million has been awarded through bonds and subsidies to create or preserve more than 1,600 affordable, sustainable, and supportive homes across the state.

PRESS RELEASE

Governor Hochul Announces $38.2 Million Initiative to Address Street Homelessness

January 17, 2023

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the availability $38.2 million in state funding to establish eight Safe Options Support teams that will provide intensive outreach, engagement and care coordination services to individuals who are experiencing homelessness in areas of the state outside of New York City. Funding is through the State Office of Mental Health.

PRESS RELEASE

DDPC Announces Partnerships to Improve Services for People with Dual Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health Diagnoses

January 12, 2023

The New York State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council is pleased to announce $3 million in grant funding for two five-year pilot projects to address the unique and co-existing needs of New Yorkers with developmental disabilities experiencing mental health challenges.

PRESS RELEASE

Governor Hochul Announces Comprehensive Plan to Fix New York State's Continuum of Mental Health Care

January 10, 2023

Governor Kathy Hochul announced 125 conditional awards for annual funding to provide services and operating expenses for up to 5,000 units of supportive housing to serve older adults, survivors of domestic and gender-based violence, veterans and chronically homeless families as well as individuals with a mental illness or substance use disorder, among others.