Latest News
PRESS RELEASE
Hutchings Psychiatric Center Opens Renovated Inpatient Building After Multi-Million Dollar Overhaul
November 28, 2018
SYRACUSE, NY - Hutchings Psychiatric Center announces the completion of its multi-phase inpatient building renovation project. The 10-year, $50 million capital investment created a new Children and Adolescent Inpatient building and a new Adult Inpatient Service Program.
PRESS RELEASE
OMH, OASAS and DFS Announce New Program and Regulations to Help New Yorkers Access Insurance Coverage for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Disorders
October 9, 2018
Three New York State agencies – the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, the Office of Mental Health and the Department of Financial Services -- today announced a new program to help ensure all New Yorkers are able to access their insurance coverage for substance use disorders and mental health services. The new Ombudsman Program will educate individuals, families, and health care providers on their legal rights to coverage, help them to access treatment and services and will investigate and resolve complaints regarding denial of health insurance coverage.
PRESS RELEASE
New York State Office of Mental Health Holds Free Maternal Depression Conference in Albany
October 5, 2018
The Office of Mental Health is pleased to announce a Maternal Depression Conference in Albany as part of New York State’s effort to combat maternal depression. The free conference, scheduled for Friday, October 12, 2018 at the Hilton Albany is ideal for all primary care physicians, pediatricians, OBGYNs, child & adolescent psychiatrists, adult psychiatrists, adult psychiatrists, nurse practitioners & other providers treating women, children & families.
PRESS RELEASE
Office of Mental Health Recognizes Community Network in Niagara County for Extraordinary Suicide Prevention Efforts
September 18, 2018
The Community Network of Care for Children and Families in Niagara County, a collaboration of school districts and mental health stakeholders in Western New York, has been honored by the New York State Office of Mental Health for advancing suicide safer settings in school districts across the region. The Community Network of Care, or CNOC, received the state’s “Suicide Safer Schools” award at the 2018 Suicide Prevention Conference, held in Albany.
PRESS RELEASE
Office of Mental Health Recognizes Tompkins County Nonprofit Founders for Commitment to Suicide Prevention Efforts
September 18, 2018
Scott MacLeod, Susan Hack, and their Tompkins County not-for-profit, The Sophie Fund, has been honored by the New York State Office of Mental Health for profound suicide prevention efforts. Scott, Susan, and The Sophie Fund, received the state’s Journey of Healing Award at the state’s 2018 Suicide Prevention Conference, held in Albany, presented for ‘exemplary advocacy by a Suicide Attempt or Suicide Loss Survivor’. Scott and Susan established The Sophie Fund after the 2016 death by suicide of their 23-year-old daughter, Sophie Hack MacLeod, a Cornell University student.
PRESS RELEASE
Office of Mental Health Recognizes Capital Region Suicide Attempt Survivor for her Extraordinary Peer-to-Peer Prevention Efforts
September 18, 2018
Sarah Felman, a peer advocate from Albany, has been honored by the New York State Office of Mental Health for bringing peers to the forefront of suicide prevention in the Capital Region. Felman, who works at the Mental Health Empowerment Project, received the state’s “Suicide Safer Communities” award at the 2018 Suicide Prevention Conference, held in Albany.
PRESS RELEASE
Office of Mental Health Recognizes Bronx Psychiatrist for her Efforts to Prevent Veteran Suicides
September 18, 2018
Dr. Marianne Goodman, a Bronx psychiatrist, has been honored by the New York State Office of Mental Health for creating a lifesaving suicide safety plan for at-risk veterans called Project Life Force. Dr. Goodman, of the James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, received the state’s “Implementation of Zero Suicide in a Healthcare Setting” award at the 2018 Suicide Prevention Conference, held in Albany.
NEWS
OMH Announces Awards for More Than 1,200 Supportive Housing Units
September 10, 2018
182 conditional awards for more than 1,200 units of supportive housing for homeless persons with special needs, conditions or other challenges were announced today. The awards will provide support services and operating funds to 116 community partners in 43 counties across the State.
NEWS
New York State Office of Mental Health Announces New Web-Based Training to Help Healthcare Providers Screen for and Treat Maternal Depression
August 6, 2018
The New York State Office of Mental Health today announced two new web-based training videos available to help healthcare providers effectively screen for and treat maternal depression during and after pregnancy. The free webinars, which are posted on the Office of Mental Health’s (OMH) Project TEACH website, are titled “Screening and Treatment of Postpartum Depression” and “Diagnosis and Treatment of Depression During Pregnancy.”
NEWS
Dual Diagnosis Inpatient Unit to Open in Western New York
July 30, 2018
The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) and Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) today announced plans to open a dual diagnosis inpatient unit for children and youth with co-occurring developmental and mental health disabilities. The unit, a collaboration between the two state agencies, will be housed in the building currently under renovation at the Buffalo Psychiatric Center.
NEWS
New York State Office of Mental Health Announces Availability of $75,000 in Funding for Stigma Reduction Projects
June 15, 2018
The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) today announced the availability of up to $75,000 in grant funding for projects that help reduce the stigma often associated with mental illness. This funding represents the revenues received through a voluntary tax check-off program launched in 2016. This program allows taxpayers to contribute easily to the ‘Mental Illness Anti-Stigma Fund’ when filing their NYS taxes.
NEWS
New York State Announces First-in-the-Nation Suicide Prevention Program
June 8, 2018
It was announced today that New York will be the first state in the nation to launch an innovative pilot program aimed at reducing new suicide attempts among individuals who had previously attempted suicide. Funded through the $3.5 million federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grant, the Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program reframes how suicide attempts are examined in order to develop individualized prevention strategies.
NEWS
New York State Launches Initiatives to Combat Maternal Depression
May 17, 2018
A new multi-agency effort to combat maternal depression. The Department of Financial Services will require all New York commercial health insurance policies to cover maternal depression screenings, including screening for the mother under the child's policy. The Department of Health and Office of Mental Health will launch a strategic awareness campaign to provide critical information about symptoms and treatment options for maternal depression. Finally, the Office of Mental Health will open the first State-operated intensive outpatient clinic focused on maternal depression. These comprehensive actions will ensure that women in New York can access crucial screenings and treatment to combat maternal depression.
NEWS
New York State Partners with Crisis Text Line to Provide 24 Hour Support for People in Crisis
May 11, 2018
Albany, NY – The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) today announced the launch of a partnership between OMH and Crisis Text Line (CTL), a national not-for-profit organization that provides free, 24-hour text-based support for people who are experiencing a mental health or situational crisis. CTL has helped users who are facing suicidal thoughts, maternal depression, cyberbullying, family emergencies, anxiety and more.
NEWS
Office of Mental Health Recognizes Kings County Mental Health Provider Serving Children of Incarcerated Parents
May 8, 2018
Albany, NY – Children of Promise, NYC - a mental health organization focused on serving children of incarcerated parents - has been honored at the New York State Office of Mental Health’s "What’s Great in our State 2018" event. The annual event, held May 8 in Albany, celebrates the people and programs making a difference in the field of children’s mental health.
NEWS
Office of Mental Health Recognizes Nassau County School Social Worker
May 8, 2018
Albany, NY – Cindy Misrock, LCSW - the school social worker at Bayview Avenue School - has been honored at the New York State Office of Mental Health’s "What’s Great in our State 2018" event.
NEWS
Office of Mental Health Recognizes High School Mental Health Club in Westchester County
May 8, 2018
Albany, NY – Walter Panas Warr;ors’ honored for its Pioneering Student-Involved Approach to Eliminating the Stigma of Mental Illness. The mental health club at Walter Panas High School - has been honored at the New York State Office of Mental Health’s "What’s Great in our State 2018" event.
NEWS
Office of Mental Health Recognizes Western New York Behavioral Health Program
May 8, 2018
Albany, NY – ‘Access to Psychiatry through Intermediate Care’ was honored for its dedication to young people with autism and intellectual/developmental disabilities at the New York State Office of Mental Health’s "What’s Great in our State 2018" event.
NEWS
Office of Mental Health Recognizes Niagara County School Superintendent
May 8, 2018
Albany, NY – Mark Laurrie - the Superintendent of the Niagara Falls School District - has been honored at the New York State Office of Mental Health’s "What’s Great in our State 2018". Laurie has been a champion for his community, promoting mental wellness within the Niagara Falls School District.
NEWS
Office of Mental Health Recognizes Onondaga County Prevention Program
May 8, 2018
Albany, NY – Contact Community Services has been honored for its Implementation of the ‘PAX Good Behavior Game’ in the Syracuse City School District at the New York State Office of Mental Health’s "What’s Great in our State 2018" event.
NEWS
Office of Mental Health Recognizes Orange County Diversion Program Serving First Time Juvenile Offenders
May 8, 2018
Albany, NY – The Mental Health Juvenile Justice Program - a diversion program run by Rehabilitation Support Services - has been honored at the New York State Office of Mental Health’s "What’s Great in our State 2018" event. The annual event, held May 8 in Albany, celebrates the people and programs making a difference in the field of children’s mental health.
NEWS
New York State Launches Third Phase of $20 Billion Plan to Create Supportive and Affordable Housing
May 1, 2018
The third phase of the historic $20 billion five-year plan launched in 2016 to create or preserve over 100,000 affordable and at least 6,000 supportive housing units. Phase III of the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative includes a Request for Proposals, issued by the New York State Office of Mental Health, that will provide $30 million in service and operating funding for at least 1,200 units of supportive housing.
NEWS
OMH Announces Western New York Children’s Psychiatric Center Will Remain in West Seneca
April 4, 2018
Western New York Children's Psychiatric Center will permanently remain operating in West Seneca following extensive community input into a proposal to relocate the facility to renovated space at the Buffalo Psychiatric Center.
NEWS
The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) announces a new procedure for the submission of Comprehensive Prior Approval Review (PAR) Applications
March 13, 2018
In accordance with Mental Hygiene Law, Rules, and Regulations, a Comprehensive PAR application is required when a service provider or proposed provider seeks to establish a new program or make significant changes to an existing, licensed program.
PRESS RELEASE
New York State Announces Efforts to Combat Maternal Depression and Prevent Maternal Mortality
January 25, 2018
New efforts to combat maternal depression and prevent maternal mortality in New York State were announced today. The State will direct the Department of Financial Services to require all health insurance policies include coverage for maternal depression screening, and will launch a new Maternal Mortality Review Board.
PRESS RELEASE
New York State Expanding Program to Help Individuals with Disabilities Find Employment
January 11, 2018
The New York State Employment First Commission, created by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and chaired by the New York State Office of Mental Health, has announced new resources to help increase employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. The new program, called the "Employment First Benefits Advisory System," will provide advice on financial assistance and work incentives for individuals with disabilities who are working or seeking work.
PRESS RELEASE
New York State Announces $60 Million in Awards to Mental Health and Addiction Healthcare Providers to Lower Cost and Improve Outcomes
January 4, 2018
New York will issue $60 million in awards over three years to mental health and addiction services providers as part of the transformation of the State's Medicaid system. The awards will aid behavioral health providers transform to a business model of Value-Based Payment, which rewards quality of care and better health outcomes, rather than the volume of services they provide.