'Mental Health For All' Coming To NYC

NEW YORK CITY — A spate of new city-run initiatives could substantially expand access to mental health services in New York City.

Mayor Bill de Blasio on Thursday capped a week of announcements on mental health programs by unveiling "Mental Health For All" — an effort to deepen services for New Yorkers.

Free mental health "check ins" will be offered at coronavirus vaccination sites, he said.

"Let's go the extra mile — let's check in, let's see how they're doing," he said. "And if they are going through mental health challenges, as so many people are in this crisis, let's make sure that they get that next step, that they get the help they need, that they get connected to it right then and there."

De Blasio tied the coronavirus pandemic to New Yorkers' mental health, but his administration's focus on services and support before the pandemic.

ThriveNYC — a sprawling $850 million mental health initiative — is run by First Lady Chirlane McCray. The program has faced criticism for its cost and performance, but also yielded efforts that could expand access to mental health services citywide.

One such initiative was announced this week: universal social-emotional screenings at schools, with an additional 600 social workers, psychologists and family support workers dedidated to the expansion.

De Blasio and McCray this week also announced 25 more Intensive Mobile Treatment teams to reach New Yorkers with serious mental health needs, as well as expanded community-based programs.

"Every new program announced this week is designed to bring more help to New Yorkers, wherever they live, by placing services in schools, at our vaccination sites, and communities of color and more," McCray said. "We stand ready to help with new efficient practices like telemedicine, which has helped Health + Hospitals host more than 200,000 virtual mental health resources, mental health sessions this year."

De Blasio said the city will establish a new Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health. The office will manage $225 million in services offered in shelters, Family Justice Centers and other locations, as well as $112 million devoted to mental health teams that will respond to 911 mental health calls, according to a release.

A new "Mental Health For All" website will help steer New Yorkers toward services the city offers, a release states.