Expansion of Services Marks Year One of Behavioral Health Blueprint, Building on Previous Investment
New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Dr. Mitchell Katz, President and CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals, officially kicked off “Mental Health Week” today by celebrating the successes achieved in the first year of the city’s “Behavioral Health Blueprint: Turning Crisis into Opportunity.” The plan, which is part of the Adams administration’s broader strategy to improve behavioral health services, outlines initiatives to enhance care for mental health and addiction services across the city. The “2024 Behavioral Health Annual Progress Report” tracks the progress of this comprehensive three-year initiative, which spans from 2024 to 2026.
The plan’s six core strategies aim to strengthen New York City’s behavioral health services and workforce, with a focus on maximizing inpatient psychiatric capacity, expanding outpatient access, increasing services for special populations, enhancing social work and peer services, improving safety and violence prevention, and building the behavioral health workforce.
New Investment to Support Behavioral Health
A key announcement today was the addition of $33 million in funding from New York State’s Behavioral Health Centers of Excellence program, which supplements the $41 million allocated last year. This funding, along with opioid settlement funds and additional city, state, federal, and philanthropic resources, will further bolster the city’s mental health infrastructure.
“As we launch ‘Mental Health Week,’ I’m proud to announce that in just one year, we have made significant strides in expanding access to mental health care through NYC Health + Hospitals,” said Mayor Adams. “These investments are vital to making New York City a safer, more affordable, and healthier place to live. By prioritizing mental health and behavioral health services, we are ensuring that all New Yorkers have the support they need to thrive.”
Year One Progress and Strategic Expansion
The progress report highlights several accomplishments from the past year, including the expansion of inpatient and outpatient services, particularly in underserved communities. NYC Health + Hospitals, the city’s largest provider of behavioral health services, has worked to increase inpatient psychiatric capacity and enhance outpatient access, particularly for populations facing specific challenges, such as those dealing with serious mental illness and addiction.
“We are proud to be the largest provider of behavioral health services in New York City,” said Dr. Katz. “In just one year, we’ve made substantial progress by opening new mental health units, hiring additional staff, and supporting the professional growth of our behavioral health workforce. These efforts are helping us expand our reach and deliver more compassionate, high-quality care to our communities.”
Commitment to Excellence in Behavioral Health Care
Dr. Omar Fattal, Deputy Chief Medical Officer and System Chief of Behavioral Health at NYC Health + Hospitals, emphasized that the achievements outlined in the progress report reflect the city’s commitment to providing exceptional care in the behavioral health sector. “In a time when mental health challenges are becoming increasingly widespread, we are doubling down on our efforts to enhance behavioral health services and provide patients with the comprehensive care they need,” said Dr. Fattal.
Throughout “Mental Health Week,” the Adams administration will continue to highlight the city’s multi-agency efforts aimed at supporting New Yorkers’ mental health, addressing everything from serious mental illness to expanding services for underserved communities. The week also serves as a reminder of Mayor Adams’ 2025 State of the City commitment to make New York City the best place to live and raise a family by ensuring accessible mental health services for all residents.
As the city celebrates these milestones, the continued investment in mental health and behavioral health services aims to foster long-term, systemic improvements in the city’s approach to mental health care.
