In recognition of Mental Illness Awareness Week, which was observed Oct. 4-10, New York State Sen. Joseph Griffo, Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon and Assemblyman Brian Miller today called for much-needed changes to the state’s mental health system.

 

 

However, the state’s mental health system has been neglected over the years. The state has closed or reduced inpatient services at institutions like the Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center, and many people have been left without access to valuable services.  

 

“New York is facing a worsening mental health crisis that has created many challenges for communities across the state,” Sen. Griffo said. “It is time for the state to reimagine its mental health system so that we can better identify various mental illnesses, make the appropriate interventions and get individuals the help they need. This is a real chance to create a safer, more reliable outcome for both individuals with mental illness and those who interact with them regularly.”

 

“New York is facing a statewide mental health crisis, and we must confront these challenges head-on,” said Assemblywoman Buttenschon. “Our system needs change, too many people are left without access to care, and too many communities have lost the facilities, services, and mental health infrastructure they once relied on. Strengthening the system means addressing every part of it, and that starts with addressing the needs of our youngest residents. We must, on-the-whole, increase support for appropriate early childhood mental & behavioral health screenings, interventions, and youth mental health services, because doing-so means identifying needs sooner, and connecting children and their families with resources, care, and support before a struggle grows into a crisis.”

 

“Too many New Yorkers seeking mental health treatment for themselves or a loved one face long waits, limited inpatient beds and gaps in community services. These challenges can leave families struggling to find help and place added pressure on hospitals and first responders,” Assemblyman Miller said. “I join Senator Griffo and Assemblywoman Buttenschon in calling for a stronger, more accessible mental health system across New York, particularly here in the Mohawk Valley. That means listening to patients, families, providers and other stakeholders, increasing inpatient capacity, strengthening community services and supporting the workforce needed to provide consistent, quality care. People should be able to find help close to home, before a crisis becomes an emergency.”

 

Sen. Griffo, Assemblywoman Buttenschon and Assemblyman Miller’s plan to reimagine the state’s mental health system includes:

 

 

“I have heard from constituents who are concerned about the shortage of beds for friends and loved ones who need mental health treatment and would like to stay in the area,” Sen. Griffo said. “Additionally, I have met with representatives of the mental health community to discuss ways to improve services regionally and how to effectively use some of the vacant buildings at the Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center in Utica. There are ways that we can strengthen and enhance the state’s mental health system, and we should consider all options to do so.”

 

“Clear communication and cooperation is essential, as only by working together can we help to ensure that no person in crisis is left without the services they need, and we can no longer afford to have them fall through the cracks between agencies,” Assemblywoman Buttenschon said. “Improving the coordination of care and restoring our inpatient and residential capacity, especially for our youth, is a must, because as we are witnessing, when an individual in crisis has nowhere to turn locally, families are left to piece together care in emergency rooms, shelters, and other settings never meant for mental health treatment. New Yorkers deserve access to the right care, in the right setting, close to home.”

 

“Families seeking mental health treatment for a loved one, or an individual, should be able to find help close to home, before a crisis becomes an emergency,” Assemblyman Miller said. “I am proud to join Senator Griffo and Assemblywoman Buttenschon in calling for stronger mental health services across New York, particularly here in the Mohawk Valley. We must advocate for more stakeholder input in these conversations and decisions moving forward, increase inpatient capacity, strengthen community services and support the workforce needed to provide consistent, quality care. Our priority must be ensuring people receive the care they need while reducing the strain on families, hospitals and first responders.”

 

Additionally, Assemblywoman Buttenschon has introduced the following bills:

 

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