In a significant move to enhance mental health services, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the allocation of $39.1 million to develop comprehensive psychiatric emergency programs across New York State.
Governor Kathy Hochul today revealed that nine community-based hospitals will receive a combined $39.1 million in state funding to develop new comprehensive psychiatric emergency programs. These initiatives will raise the statewide total to 31 programs, significantly boosting the capacity to assist thousands of individuals experiencing behavioral health crises.
“Expanding hospital-based psychiatric emergency programs is a critical component of our efforts to strengthen New York State’s mental healthcare system,” Governor Hochul emphasized. “This funding will provide community-based hospitals with the resources to quickly evaluate and care for those experiencing a behavioral health crisis.”
Dr. Ann Sullivan, Commissioner of the Office of Mental Health, echoed the governor’s sentiments, noting that these programs offer a full spectrum of services to those in crisis. “By increasing capacity at community-based hospitals, we can greatly enhance access to care statewide, especially in previously underserved areas,” she stated.
The nine hospitals awarded the funding include:
New York City:
- St. Barnabas Hospital: $5 million
- Montefiore Medical Center: $4.6 million
- Maimonides Medical Center: $4.9 million
- Flushing Hospital Medical Center: $4.5 million
- NYU Langone Health: $5 million
Upstate New York:
- Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare (Oneida County): $493,253
- Olean General Hospital (Cattaraugus County): $5 million
- Arnot Ogden Hospital (Chemung County): $4.8 million
- Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center (St. Lawrence County): $4.8 million
These comprehensive psychiatric emergency programs serve as a crucial entry point to mental health care for individuals in crisis, providing a range of psychiatric services and admitting individuals for up to 72 hours if extended observation is required. Referrals come from various sources, including providers, emergency medical services, police transport, and walk-ins.
The programs also feature mobile crisis services, which respond to community-based behavioral crises, reducing the necessity for emergency evaluations or admissions and supporting individuals as they await follow-up services.
This funding initiative is part of Governor Hochul’s broader $1 billion plan to enhance New York State’s mental health care continuum. With most of the capital funding now in place, the plan aims to open new programs, expand existing ones, and develop specialized housing units to support individuals living with mental illness.
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