Counties across New York are not receiving timely data needed to help prevent suicides, according to a new audit released by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. The audit found that while the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) has implemented or partially implemented most recommendations from the state’s Suicide Prevention Task Force, gaps in oversight, recordkeeping, and data-sharing have limited the state’s ability to determine whether those efforts are reducing suicide deaths.
“Every life lost to suicide is a devastating tragedy for families and communities,” DiNapoli said. “The Office of Mental Health could improve efforts to implement the recommendations made by the New York State Suicide Prevention Task Force to ensure timely and accurate data is shared with counties. With stronger monitoring and coordination, New York can save lives and better protect people in crisis.”
The audit was requested by New York City Council Member Erik Bottcher, who has been a leading advocate for LGBTQ+ mental health and suicide prevention initiatives. DiNapoli credited Bottcher for bringing attention to the issue and highlighted his sponsorship of Local Law 35, which requires mental health professionals in Department of Homeless Services shelters serving families with children.
“Suicide prevention depends on timely, accurate data and strong coordination across every level of government,” Bottcher said. “This report makes clear that while progress has been made, too many counties and communities are still operating without the information they need to save lives.”
The New York State Suicide Prevention Task Force was created in 2017 and includes experts, state agencies, and community partners tasked with recommending strategies to reduce suicide deaths. OMH was responsible for overseeing the implementation of those recommendations and ensuring counties had access to up-to-date information. Auditors reviewed OMH’s progress between July 2023 and July 2025.
Progress Made, But Gaps Remain
Auditors found OMH had implemented or partially implemented 46 of the 51 task force recommendations reviewed. However, OMH has not established clear goals or benchmarks to measure whether these initiatives are actually reducing suicides. As a result, the state and counties cannot determine whether programs such as school-based trainings or hospital suicide prevention initiatives are effective or need adjustment.
Delayed and Incomplete Data
According to the audit, 80 percent of counties reported they did not have access to timely data on suicide-related hospitalizations, and 66 percent said they lacked timely access to crisis hotline call data. While the Department of Health collects much of this information, auditors found OMH had not established formal data-sharing agreements to ensure counties receive it in a timely manner. Local officials reported waiting months or even years for critical data needed to identify trends and respond effectively.
Missing Demographic Information
Auditors also found that key demographic data—including race, ethnicity, veteran status, and sexual orientation or gender identity—was often incomplete or unavailable. Without this information, counties may miss disparities and fail to target prevention efforts toward populations at higher risk. Nationally, suicide rates increased significantly between 2018 and 2021 among Native Americans, Black Americans, and Hispanics, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In New York, similar demographic trends cannot be consistently analyzed due to gaps in data collection.
OMH acknowledged these shortcomings and said it plans to use the data more effectively once it is made more readily available by the Department of Health.
Recordkeeping Concerns
The audit also found OMH did not maintain complete records of Suicide Prevention Task Force meetings. The lack of meeting minutes and documentation makes it difficult to track decisions, assigned actions, and progress, reducing accountability and hindering coordination—particularly during emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Recommendations
Auditors recommended that OMH develop and implement stronger monitoring and evaluation practices for suicide prevention initiatives, improve recordkeeping, and enhance the accuracy, completeness, and sharing of suicide surveillance data.
In its response, OMH generally agreed with the audit’s findings and said it plans to issue a new State Suicide Prevention Strategy later this fall. A full list of the recommendations reviewed is included in the audit’s appendix.
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