New York City is facing a mental health crisis. It is time for a comprehensive mental health plan for NYC to alleviate and prevent emotional suffering, and to save lives.
The City’s new, comprehensive plan for NYC’s mental health focuses on three groups of New Yorkers, for which we see the greatest need: Children, youth and families; People with serious mental illness (SMI); and People at risk of drug overdose.
This comprehensive plan to address NYC’s mental health takes an innovative public health approach to mental health, focusing on New Yorkers with urgent needs. We must focus on prevention — including addressing the social, economic, racial and cultural drivers that affect mental health — intervention, and convening resources and supports.This plan’s goals will guide our future actions across the city to improve mental health.