Governor Kathy Hochul on Friday recognized May as Mental Health Awareness Month throughout New York, issuing a proclamation and highlighting the investments made into strengthening the state’s system of care since she launched a $1 billion mental health initiative in 2023. This funding has resulted in the largest expansion of capacity at state-operated psychiatric centers in years, the availability of more beds at community-based hospitals, and a dramatic expansion of outpatient and prevention services.
“Our historic investments into mental health have dramatically improved our system of care, allowing more New Yorkers to access treatment and positioning our state as a national leader.” Governor Hochul said. “As we recognize the start of Mental Health Awareness Month today, we stand proudly committed to providing services and supports responsive to the needs of all individuals and families throughout our state.”
According to her office, Governor Hochul’s investments in mental health have resulted in more than $105 million in operating funding and $831 million in capital awards. These investments extend to all facets of the mental health system and include the largest expansion of inpatient capacity in decades, stronger regulations to connect New Yorkers with treatment when they leave inpatient and emergency settings, more outpatient supports to help individuals live safely in their community, thousands of new units of specialized housing dedicated to individuals living with mental illness and sweeping insurance reforms to improve access to care.
As part of Mental Health Awareness Month, OMH is posting a video to social media each week in May to highlight individual stories of recovery from mental illness. The agency also posted a short message to New Yorkers from Commissioner Sullivan, compiled a list of public events taking place statewide to raise mental health awareness and is encouraging all New Yorkers to be mindful of their own mental wellbeing, offering tips for self-care at Be Well, a state-funded website dedicated to improving mental wellness.
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