NYU Silver Dean Dr. Michael A. Lindsey, who is a member of the New York State Office of Mental Health Suicide Prevention Task Force, made the following statement after New York State Governor Kathy Hochul delivered her 2023 State of the State address committing $1 billion to mental health services and policies.
“Today, Governor Kathy Hochul took an historic step forward in addressing the mental health needs of vulnerable New Yorkers by committing $1 billion to evidenced-based practices and policies. This approach includes the expansion of outpatient services and acute inpatient beds. More importantly, ensures continuity of care beyond discharge with critical time intervention, which provides people with intense wrap-around services when they most need it in the community.
This plan also expands ongoing support by increasing the number of Assertive Community Treatment teams and the latest innovation in community mental health Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, which provide a broad array of evidence-based practices for people with lived experience of mental illness. Moreover, the Governor's commitment to addressing mental health issues amongst children ensures that prevention is part of the solution.
I commend the Governor for offering policies promoting what we know to be effective, based on decades of research, including studies conducted by my colleagues at the NYU Silver School of Social Work. We stand ready to help the Governor make her vision a reality.”
