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Mental Health

√ NY Agencies

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New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH)

DOHMH is a leading public health agency responsible for promoting and protecting the health of New Yorkers, including expanding community mental health services and support for individuals with serious mental illness. DOHMH provides guidance and information on mental health and substance use, offers free and low-cost services for all residents, and addresses mental health needs across age groups and in response to public health crises such as COVID-19. Mayor’s Management Report

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Mayor's Office of Community Mental Health

Established by executive order and local law, OCMH is dedicated to improving mental health outcomes citywide. The office coordinates policies and strategies to fill gaps in mental healthcare, working with city agencies to reduce barriers and address needs in underserved communities. Its work is rooted in equity, community resilience, and expanding access to mental health support.
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New York City Department of Education (DOE)

DOE provides mental health services to students in public schools, including counseling and support services, and partners with DOHMH and other agencies to support student well-being. Mayor’s Management Report
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New York City Department for the Aging (DFTA):

DFTA offers mental health services to older adults, including counseling and support, often in partnership with DOHMH and community providers.
Mayor’s Management Report

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New York City Administration for Children’s Services:

ACS collaborates with other city departments on comprehensive mental health plans, focusing on children, youth, and families, and ensuring access to appropriate services. Mayor’s Management Report

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Department of Social Services

DSS is involved in mental health initiatives, emphasizing early prevention, access to affordable interventions, and harm reduction for those at risk of substance use and overdose.
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New York City Health + Hospitals (NYC H+H)

NYC H+H is the city’s public hospital system, offering a wide range of mental health services, including crisis evaluation and treatment, and works closely with DOHMH and OCMH. Mayor’s Management Report

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New York City Police Department (NYPD)

NYPD’s Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) partners with mental health professionals to respond to crises involving individuals with mental illness, aiming to connect them to appropriate care. Mayor’s Management Report=

√ Reports

The State of Mental Health of New Yorkers

The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene released this report in May 2024 which details mental health across all age groups, diagnoses, well-being and service use. It discusses social and environmental drivers (housing, income, access to care) and shows a post-pandemic mental health landscape with uneven recovery across communities.

    Mayor's Office of Community Mental Health Reports

    This office has published various reports, such as the 2025 Annual Report of Involuntary Transports and 2025 Critical Gaps in the Mental Healthcare System, research on the availability and accessibility of mental health services, and updates on initiatives like ThriveNYC and Community Driven Innovation​.

    COVID-19 Impact on Mental Health and Substance Use
    The NYC Health Department has addressed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and substance use, offering resources and guidelines for coping with related challenges during the pandemic.
    Mental Health Road Map - New York City Council
    This document outlines the council’s plans and advocacy efforts in various areas, such as funding for mental health support in schools, initiatives for youth mental health, family support programs, and addressing the mental health workforce shortage.
    Challenges and Solutions for A THRIVING BEHAVIORAL HEALTH WORKFORCE

    This paper reviews current research and insights into the driving forces for the behavioral health workforce shortage and also provides an overview of the multifaceted approach OCMH is taking to effectively respond to these crises, including a discussion of promising practices in NYC and beyond.

    Connections to Care (C2C) Reports
    The Social Innovation Fund (SIF)’s Connections to Care (C2C) initiative integrates mental health support into the work of community-based organizations serving low-income New Yorkers. The program aims to improve the mental health of participants and increase their success with other social services.
    NYS Office of Mental Health Reports
    The New York State Office of Mental Health offers a wide range of reports, including statistical data on Assisted Outpatient Treatment, Child and Family indicators, Mental Health Needs Assessment, and Suicide Prevention Activities.
    Improving New York City’s Responses to Individuals in Mental Health Crisis

    Improving New York City’s Responses to Individuals in Mental Health Crisis: 2022 Update: This report focuses on how the city responds to individuals experiencing mental health crises, including the impact on and treatment for NYPD officers involved in such situations.

    HealthyNYC: New York City's Campaign for Healthier, Longer Lives

    NYC’s DOHMH produced this campaign which covers long-term goals for reducing suicide, overdose deaths and mental health-related mortality.

    Young People Face a Mental Health Crisis
    Young people across the country, particularly female and LGBQ+ students, are experiencing an alarming increase in poor mental health and suicidal thoughts and behavior. This data has been borne out in New York City, where 15.6 percent of adolescents report seriously considering suicide and 36 percent of high schoolers report persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness.
    Barriers to Mental Health Treatment among New York City Adults

    This report discusses access to mental health care and reasons people do not receive treatment. One key finding is that ~945,000 NYC adults (14%) reported an unmet need for mental health care.

    A Vision for Mental Health Reform
    This report discusses modern mental health policy and offers recommendations for financing and data sharing to develop a more comprehensive mental health system.
    MENTAL HEALTH AND DRUG TREATMENT COURTS IN NEW YORK STATE: ASSESSMENT AND THE CASE FOR EXPANSION

    Mental health courts are an alternative that can treat underlying conditions and break the cycle of incarceration.

    Mental Health Impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic in New York State
    This report reviews survey data related to mental health in New York State during the coronavirus pandemic. It presents self-reported symptoms of anxiety and depression by race and ethnicity, age, and household income, and compares symptoms among New Yorkers who did and did not experience a loss in household employment income during the pandemic.
    New York State Mental Health Plan 2024

    Governor Kathy Hochul announced a total of $30 million in state funding was awarded to nine community-based hospitals to add 109 new inpatient psychiatric beds statewide. Administered by the State Office of Mental Health, these awards can be used to cover design, property acquisition, and construction costs associated with adding new inpatient beds, which is among the priorities included in Governor Hochul’s landmark $1 billion plan to strengthen New York’s mental health system.

    The State of Mental Health of New Yorkers
    The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene released this report in May 2024 which details mental health across all age groups, diagnoses, well-being and service use. It discusses social and environmental drivers (housing, income, access to care) and shows a post-pandemic mental health landscape with uneven recovery across communities.
    Improving New York City’s Responses to Individuals in Mental Health Crisis
    Improving New York City’s Responses to Individuals in Mental Health Crisis: 2022 Update: This report focuses on how the city responds to individuals experiencing mental health crises, including the impact on and treatment for NYPD officers involved in such situations.
    Challenges and Solutions for A THRIVING BEHAVIORAL HEALTH WORKFORCE

    This paper reviews current research and insights into the driving forces for the behavioral health workforce shortage and also provides an overview of the multifaceted approach OCMH is taking to effectively respond to these crises, including a discussion of promising practices in NYC and beyond.

    HealthyNYC: New York City's Campaign for Healthier, Longer Lives

    NYC’s DOHMH produced this campaign which covers long-term goals for reducing suicide, overdose deaths and mental health-related mortality.

    Mayor's Office of Community Mental Health Reports

    This office has published various reports, such as the 2025 Annual Report of Involuntary Transports and 2025 Critical Gaps in the Mental Healthcare System, research on the availability and accessibility of mental health services, and updates on initiatives like ThriveNYC and Community Driven Innovation​.

    MENTAL HEALTH AND DRUG TREATMENT COURTS IN NEW YORK STATE: ASSESSMENT AND THE CASE FOR EXPANSION
    Mental health courts are an alternative that can treat underlying conditions and break the cycle of incarceration.
    COVID-19 Impact on Mental Health and Substance Use
    The NYC Health Department has addressed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and substance use, offering resources and guidelines for coping with related challenges during the pandemic.
    Mental Health Road Map - New York City Council
    This document outlines the council’s plans and advocacy efforts in various areas, such as funding for mental health support in schools, initiatives for youth mental health, family support programs, and addressing the mental health workforce shortage.
    Connections to Care (C2C) Reports
    The Social Innovation Fund (SIF)’s Connections to Care (C2C) initiative integrates mental health support into the work of community-based organizations serving low-income New Yorkers. The program aims to improve the mental health of participants and increase their success with other social services.
    NYS Office of Mental Health Reports
    The New York State Office of Mental Health offers a wide range of reports, including statistical data on Assisted Outpatient Treatment, Child and Family indicators, Mental Health Needs Assessment, and Suicide Prevention Activities.
    Young People Face a Mental Health Crisis
    Young people across the country, particularly female and LGBQ+ students, are experiencing an alarming increase in poor mental health and suicidal thoughts and behavior. This data has been borne out in New York City, where 15.6 percent of adolescents report seriously considering suicide and 36 percent of high schoolers report persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness.
    Mental Health Impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic in New York State
    This report reviews survey data related to mental health in New York State during the coronavirus pandemic. It presents self-reported symptoms of anxiety and depression by race and ethnicity, age, and household income, and compares symptoms among New Yorkers who did and did not experience a loss in household employment income during the pandemic.
    Barriers to Mental Health Treatment among New York City Adults

    This report discusses access to mental health care and reasons people do not receive treatment. One key finding is that ~945,000 NYC adults (14%) reported an unmet need for mental health care.

    New York State Mental Health Plan 2024

    Governor Kathy Hochul announced a total of $30 million in state funding was awarded to nine community-based hospitals to add 109 new inpatient psychiatric beds statewide. Administered by the State Office of Mental Health, these awards can be used to cover design, property acquisition, and construction costs associated with adding new inpatient beds, which is among the priorities included in Governor Hochul’s landmark $1 billion plan to strengthen New York’s mental health system.

    √ Data sets

    DOHMH Community Mental Health Survey
    Available on NYC Open Data, this survey offers detailed information about the mental health of the community in New York City​.
    NYS Office of Mental Health Statistics and Reports
    This site has detailed reports on various aspects of mental health in New York State, including Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Reports, Consumer Assessment of Care Survey (CACS), County Planning Reports, and more.
    New York City Community Health Profiles
    The New York City Community Health Profiles capture the health of 59 community districts across the city. They contain over 50 measures of neighborhood health, emphasizing that our health starts where we live, work and play.
    EpiQuery
    EpiQuery is a web-based database designed to provide users with health data from a variety of sources. Mental health related topics include: Drug and Alcohol Use, Mental Health Conditions and Mental Health Counseling and Treatment.
    Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)
    The BRFSS is a national survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that includes questions about mental health status, treatment, and service utilization. Data from the BRFSS is available for New York City and can be used to compare mental health indicators to other cities and states.
    Correctional Health Services
    This dataset details mental health access by prisoners.
    Incarceration and Mental Health
    Individuals with mental illness and substance use disorders are significantly overrepresented in American jails and prisons, a development that has attracted the concern of clinicians, researchers, policymakers, and corrections personnel.
    Mental Health Service Finder Data
    This dataset, also available on NYC Open Data, can be useful for locating mental health services across New York City
    National Institute of Mental Health
    The data presented here are from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
    Citizens Budget Commission’s (CBC) 2023 Resident Survey

    The Citizens Budget Commission’s (CBC) 2023 Resident Survey provides the most comprehensive, statistically valid, post-pandemic view into how New Yorkers feel about the City’s quality of life and how they rate City government services.

    √ Data visualizations

    Mayor's Office of Community Mental Health Data Dashboard
    This resource provides data on mental health in NYC. It’s a useful tool for exploring a range of mental health-related data within the city.
    NYS Vital Signs Dashboard
    This dashboard presents the public mental health system’s performance in select mental health programs. Reports focus on disparities in access, quality, and treatment outcomes among Medicaid individuals with mental health needs.
    The State of New York City Jails
    The Office of the New York City Comptroller reported that one in five people detained have serious mental health illness, and half have some kind of mental health diagnosis. The number and share of people detained and diagnosed with serious mental illness have risen significantly​.
    New York City Community Health Survey

    This interactive data visualization tool allows users to explore data from the New York City Community Health Survey (CHS). The tool allows users to compare data across different demographic groups and to explore trends over time.

    Opioid Overdose Deaths in New York City
    These data visualization, created by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, provides information on opioid overdose deaths in New York City. The visualization includes data on the number of overdose deaths by year, age group, and race/ethnicity, as well as information on the neighborhoods with the highest rates of overdose deaths.
    CDC: Data and Statistics on Children’s Mental Health
    The CDC uses surveys, like the National Survey of Children’s Health, to describe the presence of positive indicators of children’s mental health and to understand the number of children with diagnosed mental disorders and whether they received treatment.
    YOUTH RISK BEHAVIOR SURVEY
    The Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary
    & Trends Report: 2011–2021 provides the most
    recent surveillance data, as well as 10-year
    trends, on health behaviors and experiences
    among high school students in the United
    States (U S ) related to adolescent health and
    well-being.

    √ STATISTICS

    Adults in NY experiencing a mental health disorder each year.

    %

    NYS DOH

    Monthly average of Inmates with serious mental illness in NYC jail population.

    2023, NYC Comptroller

    New Yorkers age 12–17 with depression

    NAMI

    Prevalence

    According to the New York State Department of Health, approximately 1 in 5 adults in New York experiences a mental health disorder in any given year. Source: NYS DOH

    COVID-19 Impact

    More than half of Americans report that COVID-19 has had a negative impact on their mental health. In February 2021, 35.8% of adults in New York reported symptoms of anxiety or depression. Source: NAMI

    Teen Depression

    1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6–17 experience
    a mental health disorder each year. 145,000 New Yorkers age 12–17 have depression. Source: NAMI Fact Sheet

    Incarceration

    The number of individuals with a serious mental illness reached a three-year peak in May 2023, climbing to a monthly average of 1,207 individuals, or 20% of the jail population. Source: NYC Controller

    Adults in NY experiencing a mental health disorder each year.

    %

    NYS DOH

    Monthly average of Inmates with serious mental illness in NYC jail population.

    2023, NYC Comptroller

    New Yorkers age 12–17 with depression

    NAMI

    Prevalence
    According to the New York State Department of Health, approximately 1 in 5 adults in New York experiences a mental health disorder in any given year. Source: NYS DOH

    COVID-19 Impact
    More than half of Americans report that COVID-19 has had a negative impact on their mental health. In February 2021, 35.8% of adults in New York reported symptoms of anxiety or depression. Source: NAMI

    Teen Depression
    1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6–17 experience
    a mental health disorder each year. 145,000 New Yorkers age 12–17 have depression. Source: NAMI Fact Sheet
    Incarceration
    The number of individuals with a serious mental illness reached a three-year peak in May 2023, climbing to a monthly average of 1,207 individuals, or 20% of the jail population. Source: NYC Controller

    √ Census & American Community Survey

    Disability Status
    The ACS collects information on disability status, which can be used to estimate the prevalence of mental health conditions. According to the 2019 ACS, 10.3% of individuals in New York City reported having a disability, which can include mental health conditions.
    Educational Attainment
    The ACS collects information on educational attainment, which is a known social determinant of mental health. According to the 2019 ACS, 37.2% of individuals in New York City aged 25 and older had a bachelor’s degree or higher, while 21.5% did not have a high school diploma.
    Health Insurance Coverage
    The ACS collects information on health insurance coverage, which is important for understanding access to mental health services. According to the 2019 ACS, 82.6% of individuals in New York City had health insurance coverage, while 17.4% were uninsured.
    Poverty Status
    The ACS collects information on poverty status, which is a known social determinant of mental health. According to the 2019 ACS, 19.5% of individuals in New York City lived below the poverty level.
    Race and Ethnicity
    The ACS collects information on race and ethnicity, which is important for understanding disparities in mental health outcomes. According to the 2019 ACS, the population of New York City was 29.9% non-Hispanic white, 24.2% Hispanic or Latino, 13.4% non-Hispanic black or African American, 12.4% non-Hispanic Asian, and 20.1% of other races or two or more races.
    Disability Status
    The ACS collects information on disability status, which can be used to estimate the prevalence of mental health conditions. According to the 2019 ACS, 10.3% of individuals in New York City reported having a disability, which can include mental health conditions.
    Educational Attainment
    The ACS collects information on educational attainment, which is a known social determinant of mental health. According to the 2019 ACS, 37.2% of individuals in New York City aged 25 and older had a bachelor’s degree or higher, while 21.5% did not have a high school diploma.
    Health Insurance Coverage
    The ACS collects information on health insurance coverage, which is important for understanding access to mental health services. According to the 2019 ACS, 82.6% of individuals in New York City had health insurance coverage, while 17.4% were uninsured.
    Poverty Status
    The ACS collects information on poverty status, which is a known social determinant of mental health. According to the 2019 ACS, 19.5% of individuals in New York City lived below the poverty level.
    Race and Ethnicity
    The ACS collects information on race and ethnicity, which is important for understanding disparities in mental health outcomes. According to the 2019 ACS, the population of New York City was 29.9% non-Hispanic white, 24.2% Hispanic or Latino, 13.4% non-Hispanic black or African American, 12.4% non-Hispanic Asian, and 20.1% of other races or two or more races.

    √ Non-Profits

    NAMI-NYC Metro
    The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the largest grassroots mental health organization in the United States, and the NAMI-NYC Metro chapter provides support, education, and advocacy for individuals and families affected by mental illness.
    Fountain House
    This non-profit organization provides a community-based approach to mental health recovery, with programs and services focused on employment, education, and social support.
    The Jed Foundation
    This organization focuses on preventing suicide among young adults, with programs that promote mental health, prevent substance abuse, and provide crisis support.
    Vibrant Emotional Health
    This non-profit organization provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services, as well as support and resources for individuals and families affected by mental illness.
    Institute for the Development of Human Arts (IDHA)
    IDHA offers training and education in mental health, focusing on innovative and alternative approaches. They also organize community events and cross-movement organizing, working at the intersection of mental health and various forms of social justice.
    The Mental Health Association of New York State (MHANYS)
    This organization focuses on advocating for policies and programs that promote mental health and support individuals with mental illness, and conducts research on mental health issues in New York State.
    Public Health Solutions

    This organization provides mental health services and advocacy, with a particular focus on improving access to care for underserved communities.

    √ Experts

    Dr. Gary Belkin - NYU
    Dr. Belkin is a psychiatrist and public health expert who served as the Deputy Commissioner for Mental Health at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. He has been a leader in efforts to improve mental health care access and outcomes in New York City.
    Glenn Liebman - MHANYS
    Liebman is the CEO of the Mental Health Association of New York State (MHANYS), which is a non-profit organization that advocates for policies and programs that promote mental health and support individuals with mental illness.
    Dr. Samantha Meltzer-Brody - UNC
    Dr. Samantha Meltzer-Brody, MD, MPH is the Assad Meymandi Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She also directs the UNC Center for Women’s Mood Disorders.
    Dr. Ned Hallowell, MD
    A psychiatrist and ADHD specialist, Dr. Hallowell is a leading voice in understanding and managing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. His books, like “Driven to Distraction,” offer practical strategies and insights for individuals with ADHD and their loved ones.
    Dr. Laurie Santos, PhD
    A cognitive neuroscientist and psychology professor at Yale University, Dr. Santos teaches a popular online course called “The Science of Well-Being.” Her expertise lies in understanding happiness and applying psychological principles to everyday life for greater well-being.

    √ Journal Articles

    "The Lancet Psychiatry Commission on youth mental health "

    Evidence suggests that in many countries, the mental health of young people has been declining over the past two decades, signalling a warning that global megatrends and changes in many societies are increasing mental ill health.

    "APA: Stress in America 2023 "

    The national public health emergency around Covid-19 officially ended on May 11, 2023, and while the return to “normal” has been celebrated by many, results from the most recent Stress in America™ survey paint a different picture. Psychologists with APA say a superficial characterization of day-to-day life being more normal is obscuring the posttraumatic effects that have altered our mental and physical health.

    "The illusion of moral decline "

    Anecdotal evidence indicates that people believe that morality is declining1,2. In a series of studies using both archival and original data (n = 12,492,983), we show that people in at least 60 nations around the world believe that morality is declining, that they have believed this for at least 70 years and that they attribute this decline both to the decreasing morality of individuals as they age and to the decreasing morality of successive generations.

    "Adolescent Total and Mental Health–Related Emergency Department Visits During the COVID-19 Pandemic "
    The rebound of MH-related ED visits to 2019 levels was faster than the rebound of overall ED visits for the adolescent population, which suggests that careful attention should be paid to this population, as there appeared to be less flexibility in the demand for MH care in this age group following the COVID-19 public health emergency.
    "A Public Health Approach to New York City’s Mental Health Crisis"
    New York City (NYC), like much of the US, faces a mental health crisis exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, NYC launched a mental health plan that takes a public health approach, targeting strategies based on need, balancing prevention and care.
    "Mental Health Task-Shifting in Community-Based Organizations"

    Mental health problems disproportionately affect low-income individuals, racial and ethnic minorities, and those with low English proficiency in comparison to other populations in the United States. Left unaddressed, mental health problems can profoundly affect people’s lives.

    "Disparities in Mental Health Referral and Diagnosis in the New York City Jail Mental Health Service "

    A study published on PubMed analyzed the timing of mental health service entry in relation to solitary confinement, diagnosis, age, and race/ethnicity in the New York City jail system.

    "Improving Mental Health Care for Middle- Class Black Women"
    For Black women in the US, achieving social and economic mobility continues to be especially precarious because of the continued lack of wealth-building opportunities. This study outlines the challenges faced by middle-class Black women, how these challenges intersect with women’s mental health, and solutions to address them

    √ Key Issues

    Accessibility and Availability of Services
    Challenges in ensuring equitable distribution of mental health care across the diverse population of NYC.
    Provider Shortages
    There has been a notable shortage of mental health providers, particularly those from underserved communities. This issue was exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic.
    Barriers to Care
    Individuals have faced difficulties in navigating the mental health system, finding resources, and dealing with long wait times for appointments.
    Integration of Services
    The need for better integration among various agencies providing mental health services, such as schools, jails, and shelters, has been identified.
    Impact of COVID-19
    The pandemic disrupted established patterns of mental health care and increased the demand for services.
    Stigma and Public Perception
    Stigma surrounding mental health conditions remains a significant issue in New York City. Misunderstandings and stereotypes about mental illness can hinder individuals from seeking help, and affect the allocation of resources and support for mental health initiatives.

    √ Social Media Accounts

    NAMINYCMetro

    The official Twitter account of the National Alliance on Mental Illness of New York City provides information, resources, and advocacy on mental illness in the city.

    jedfoundation

    This national nonprofit focuses on mental health among teens and young adults. They have a strong presence on social media, including in New York City.

    MHAacrossNYS

    Mental Health Association in New York State, Inc. (MHANYS) works to end stigma, advocates for system reforms, & promotes recovery and mental health wellness.

    MentalHealthNYC

    Committed to improving mental health outcomes for all NYers, so that more people can get the support they need to live healthy and content lives.epidemiology.