Governor Hochul Announces Details of $1 Billion Plan to Overhaul New York State’s Continuum of Mental Health Care

State Senator Nathalia Fernandez said, “The Governor’s budget proposals for mental health reflect a long overdue seriousness that is on par with the issue itself. The sizable increase in spending from 2023 should net a wave of positive results for the inseparable issues of mental hygiene and substance abuse. I am encouraged to see Governor Hochul take this step. To continue to make a difference in the future, we need intergovernmental coordination between city, state, and federal officials as well as increased funding through multiple agencies where mental health and substance abuse coincide.”

Assemblymember Yudelka Tapia said, “Governor Hochul announcement of $1 billion investment for our mental health system, including the expansion of school-based mental health services, housing services for people with developmental disabilities, suicide prevention programs and substance abuse programs, is a game changer for underserved communities of color like mine. I celebrate and thank Governor Kathy Hochul for her commitment to improve the lives of our most vulnerable.” 

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson said, “For far too long, New York’s most vulnerable have been denied the robust mental, emotional, and physical wraparound services they deserve and desperately need to thrive. We are grateful for Governor Hochul’s transformative plan that looks to change this by increasing the capacity for inpatient psychiatric treatment by 1,000 beds, while adding housing units and establishing a system of accountability in patient care. I want to thank Governor Hochul for her leadership in addressing an issue that will work to strengthen and bring healing to the many who have suffered throughout our communities.”

Councilmember Marjorie Velázquez said, “Mental health continues to be a public health crisis, and Governor Hochul’s investment to curtail this crisis will significantly improve individuals’ lives and our community as a whole. New Yorkers, including our students, deserve access to mental health care, without having to face financial barriers. We can and will address the crisis head-on and identify solutions that will truly benefit our communities and our city.” 

Unique People Services Executive Director Yvette Brissett-André said, “Governor Hochul has provided a real plan for the future that supports the life-saving work performed by organizations serving the needs of vulnerable New Yorkers. Her investments in community-based services and supportive housing will help many children, adults and families realize their full potential and thrive in the communities they call home.”

Montifiore Medical Center President Dr. Philip Ozuah said, “In her first address as Governor, Kathy Hochul pledged to be a champion and an advocate for all New Yorkers. Her budget proposal, and her commitment of $1 Billion to address mental health challenges delivers on that promise. I’m grateful that she chose to unveil her plans here at Montefiore/Einstein and for the gratitude she showed to our community.”

Mental Health Association of New York State Chief Executive Officer Glenn Liebman said, “Governor Hochul and Commissioner Sullivan have created a bold mental health vision for the future that includes housing, youth mental health and insurance parity. We are very supportive of this commitment to strengthen and transform the mental healthcare system and will continue to work with the Governor and Legislature on our priorities as the budget process continues.”

NAMI-NYS Interim Executive Director Sharon Horton said, “NAMI-NYS applauds Governor Hochul for both making mental health a true priority in her budget proposal and for discussing how mental health issues have negatively impacted her family in her budget address. NAMI-NYS thanks the Governor for advancing measures that align with our leading advocacy priority; the need to expand access to mental health supports and services and adopting recommendations that NAMI-NYS has been making for more than a decade. The Governor’s plan boldly aims to increase access for all of those across the broad spectrum of psychiatric disorders by funding both in-patient and community based services. We are also encouraged to see the Governor aim to improve hospital admission and discharge practices which NAMI-NYS have long been critical of, as well as addressing the lack of insurance parity which keeps people from accessing services and expanding mental health services for New York’s Children.”

Concern for Independent Living Executive Director Ralph Fasano said, “We applaud the Governor for her comprehensive plan to support people living with mental illness, and ensure they receive the services they need across the entire continuum of care. Her initiatives will help decease hospital readmissions by providing the necessary assistance to people once they are discharged, and as they move into community-based services and eventually permanent supportive housing.”

Institute for Community Living President and Chief Executive Officer Jody Rudin said, “Governor Hochul’s plan invests in the right places, along the continuum of evidence-based programs, from prevention to permanency. It smartly increases funding for youth mental health services, programs like ACT, SOS and CTI that support the hardest to treat, and for more housing with wraparound services, which is the best prescription a doctor can write.  It is a transformational plan that has the power to move us from a fragmented system to a comprehensive one by building on community-based, trauma-informed programs that help people get better.”

Vibrant Emotional Health President and CEO Kimberly A. Williams said, “We are extremely gratified to see the focus on mental health funding in Governor Hochul’s State Budget, New York state is a leader in many areas across the nation, and this level of unprecedented funding for mental health services is a further example of this. As a New York based mental health nonprofit with a national footprint, we hope that this type of funding expansion can be the norm and will continue to advocate for it to be so.”