Governor Hochul announced that new network adequacy regulations for behavioral health services will now entitle New Yorkers to an initial appointment for behavioral health care within 10 business days of the request, or seven calendar days following hospital discharge. Under the regulations adopted by the New York State Department of Financial Services and State Department of Health, insurers unable to meet these timeframes will have to offer out-of-network mental health or substance use disorder coverage without increasing the cost for the consumer.
Governor Hochul announced the start of construction on 1760 Third Avenue in East Harlem, a 433-unit affordable and supportive housing project in East Harlem that is the first residential project to get underway using capital financing through her landmark $1 billion mental health initiative.
Governor Hochul announced the launch of a new Safe Options Support or “SOS” team to help bring stability to individuals who are experiencing chronic homelessness on Staten Island, including those with mental health and substance use challenges. With this expansion, the successful SOS program — which has now placed over 680 people in New York City in permanent housing — is now up and running in each of New York City’s five boroughs.
Governor Hochul announced $9.6 million in state funding is available to provide additional mental health assistance services for rural areas of the state, including a program dedicated to helping farmers, agribusiness workers and their families.
Governor Hochul unveiled the findings from New York’s first responder mental health needs assessment. The assessment was developed to better understand the mental health-related challenges facing individuals working in public safety fields and strengthen programs and services for these professionals.
The Office of Mental Health announced that a total of $100,000 has been awarded to community-based 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 provided $20,000 in one-time grants to support five projects spearheaded by community-based organizations located in each region of the state.
Governor Hochul announced that $10 million in State funding is available to offer a statewide Youth and Teen Mental Health First Aid program. The State Office of Mental Health will administer the funding to develop a training and certification program that helps New Yorkers identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders in young people who may be experiencing a crisis.
Governor Hochul announced, ‘Unplug and Play,’ a new effort to promote kids’ mental and physical health as a part of her 2025 State of the State. The Governor will continue to rebuild the state’s social infrastructure for children by launching a holistic strategy to help support parents in steering their children away from the harms of social media and toward positive activities like youth sports, arts programs, civic engagement, and community building.
Governor Hochul announced comprehensive new steps to increase law enforcement presence, expand public resources and strengthen mental health policies to make the transit system safer for New Yorkers.
Governor Hochul announced major reforms to strengthen New York’s involuntary commitment and assisted outpatient treatment laws as part of her 2025 State of the State. The Governor’s proposals will expand treatment options for individuals experiencing serious mental illness and strengthen policies like Kendra’s Law that aim to provide help to those who need it most.
Governor Hochul proposed new investments in education and youth mental health at a fireside chat with hundreds of high school and community college students. The proposals build on the Governor’s commitment to making the State a place where residents of all ages have access to the resources they need to thrive.
The Office of Mental Health announced a public exhibition of artwork produced by individuals recovering from mental illness will be on display at galleries in New York City this winter. Works produced by artists from the Living Museum at Creedmoor Psychiatric Center will be featured at the IW Gallery in Brooklyn this month and at FIERMAN in Manhattan until March, demonstrating the powerful role art can play in improving health and promoting wellbeing.
Governor Hochul announced the availability of up to $2 million to expand resiliency and suicide prevention efforts among military veterans and uniformed personnel, including law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical service personnel, corrections officers, and emergency dispatchers.