Hochul’s mental health plan comes with optimism for treatment resources

Just days after Gov. Kathy Hochul’s comments on mental health in New York state, those at the forefront of addressing mental health needs are reacting. They’re hopeful Hochul’s plan will help with treatment moving forward.

“I’m proud to announce to accomplish this goal, we’re prepared to invest $1 billion, making critical policy changes to fully meet the mental health needs of our people. It’s about time. Let’s get it done. We can do this together. Let’s get it done. Our people need this,” said Hochul, in her State of the State on Tuesday.

Those comments from the governor got the biggest reaction during her speech.
Leaders at the Charlton School in Burnt Hills – a residential treatment school for girls – say they are pleased with what the governor said, devoting robust funding to 853 schools and non-profit mental health care centers.
However, the school’s leader, Alex Cape, said in a statement:

“The Governor’s proposal is a good step, but our State Legislature has to do more. We need to accentuate those individualized, non-traditional programs that are modeling successful approaches and healthy systems – a critical step to helping all individuals in the throes of system fatigue.”

Meantime Cape is praising its partnership with Ellis Hospital, which recently reopened its inpatient mental health unit for adolescents.
The hospital paused taking admissions for about six months last year, because of staffing shortages.
A spokesperson for Ellis says the hospital now has the staff it needs to resume admissions again.

The governor said in her comments on Tuesday one in three New Yorkers have sought mental health care.