A new mental health program in New York City aims to help residents connect more easily with mental health and substance services. NYC Mental Health Connect is a website and a collaboration between NYC Mayor Mamdani and the New York City Health Department. Launched ahead of World Mental Health Day on October 10, Mental Health Connect aims to connect New Yorkers to over 600 providers through a simple ten-question questionnaire.
“With NYC Mental Health Connect, our administration is providing New Yorkers with the tools to find local or virtual services quickly, and we are removing unnecessary obstacles that have prevented so many in need from accessing critical, and often lifesaving, mental health care.” said Mayor Mamdani.
According to the press release, through this questionnaire, NYC Mental Health Connect can help provide visitors with information on care options, access to that care, as well as the contact information with a provider.
Some of the affordable state-licensed and City-contracted service options include Outpatient clinics for adults, youth, and families; rehabilitation services; support services; social programs for housing, food security, and legal assistance; crisis services; and Intellectual and developmental disabilities services.
Mental Health Connect is another step forward to lessen the burden for New Yorkers finding medical care. According to a state government report, 2023 saw a reported 14% of adult New Yorkers who had unmet mental health needs in the last 12 months, be it from stigma or lack of resources. Additionally, the same report noted that 24% of surveyed NYC teens didn’t know where to get mental health help when they needed it.
NYC Mental Health Connect’s development and launch were funded by the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) through a one-time support of $5 million. The city expects to regularly maintain the site into the future to provide visitors with the latest information.
