New York Allocates $6M for Urgent Behavioral Health Crisis Teams

URGENT UPDATE: The New York State Office of Mental Health has just announced a groundbreaking initiative to allocate $6 million for the establishment of health-led behavioral health crisis response teams across the state. This funding aims to enhance community responses to mental health emergencies, a critical move following the tragic death of Daniel Prude in 2020 while in police custody.

Officials confirmed that the funds will support the creation or expansion of at least three crisis response teams—one each in a rural, suburban, and urban area—utilizing trained behavioral health professionals and peer support. Grants of up to $2 million will be available for communities seeking to implement these essential services.

Dr. Ann Sullivan, Commissioner of the Office of Mental Health and Chair of the task force, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating,

“By establishing a health-led system of response, we can help communities to safely and compassionately address those individuals who experience a behavioral health crisis.”

This funding marks a significant step toward fulfilling key recommendations from the Daniel’s Law Task Force, which was formed to address the urgent need for improved mental health crisis interventions.

The task force’s report released in December 2020 outlined critical recommendations, including the establishment of standardized protocols for crisis responses. It advocates for a model where specially trained teams respond to calls made to 911 or 988 regarding mental health crises, with law enforcement only engaged in cases of potential violence.

State Senator Samra Brouk expressed her commitment to implementing a compassionate, peer-led mental health crisis response system across New York. She stated,

“Together, we must be able to offer voluntary services for people experiencing mental health and substance use crises and put an end to the criminalization of individuals with mental health emergencies.”

This multi-million-dollar investment aligns directly with the recommendations of the task force, aiming to provide trauma-informed care for New Yorkers in crisis.

The launch of these crisis response teams will not only provide immediate assistance to those in need but also foster a supportive environment that prioritizes mental wellness. As these developments unfold, communities across New York are poised to benefit from this urgent and much-needed initiative.

Stay tuned as we continue to monitor this situation closely and provide updates on the implementation of these crisis response teams and their impact on community health.