Dive Brief:
- New York City recently announced an $850 million program called ThriveNYC, with 54 different initiatives, to improve mental health services and expand access to such care.
- The plan involves training 250,000 New Yorkers in mental health first aid to identify and respond to individuals with mental health and substance abuse issues.
- Mental health issues will be addressed in schools, with training provided to 9,200 teachers and school administrators to teach social and emotional skills. An additional 100 public schools will be added in 2017 and 100 mental health consultants will be hired to assist students in connecting with the services.
Dive Insight:
The city will also launch a public awareness campaign to reduce the stigma of mental health and educate residents where they can access services.
A report conducted by the city found that lost productivity from depression and substance abuse cost it $14 billion a year. The ThriveNYC program, announced in January, is based on six principles: change the culture; act early; close treatment gaps; partner with communities; use data better; and strengthen government's ability to lead.
The program will expand mental health services in the poorest communities where hospitalization rates are higher. The city plans to hire 400 physicians and clinicians who will serve as the foundation of a New York City mental health corps to dispatch personnel to facilities where services are limited.
Access to two drugs to treat heroin users will also be expanded with more than 1,000 providers trained to prescribe them.
However, according to Modern Healthcare, providers are wary the program has not been well coordinated with state officials from the Office of Mental Health and the Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services, which oversee Medicaid payments to providers.