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

UPDATE: The New York State Office of Mental Health has just announced a groundbreaking allocation of $6 million to establish health-led behavioral health crisis response teams across the state. This urgent initiative follows key recommendations from the Daniel’s Law Task Force, formed after the tragic 2020 death of Daniel Prude while in police custody during a mental health incident.

This funding aims to create or expand at least three teams—a rural, a suburban, and an urban team—composed of trained behavioral health professionals and peer support members. Each team will be equipped to respond compassionately and effectively to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.

Dr. Ann Sullivan, Commissioner of the Office of Mental Health and chair of the task force, stated, “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.”

The grants will provide up to $2 million for the establishment of new teams or the expansion of existing ones. This pilot program represents a significant step toward implementing the task force’s recommendations, aimed at creating a more effective and compassionate response to mental health emergencies.

The Daniel’s Law Task Force released its recommendations in December 2022, advocating for a standardized approach to behavioral health crisis response. One critical recommendation includes ensuring that trained crisis service teams respond to calls made to 911 or 988 regarding mental health issues or substance abuse, with law enforcement only involved in situations that present a threat of violence.

State Senator Samra Brouk emphasized the importance of this initiative, saying, “Since the tragic death of Daniel Prude in 2020, I have fought for the passage of Daniel’s Law to ensure that we implement a compassionate, peer-led mental health crisis response system across New York State.” She added that this investment is crucial for providing voluntary support to individuals in crisis and combating the criminalization of mental health emergencies.

As communities across New York prepare for the rollout of these crucial teams, the focus remains on ensuring that those in distress receive the care they need promptly and compassionately. Keep an eye on developments regarding the deployment of these teams and the positive impact they are expected to have on the mental health landscape statewide.

This announcement marks a pivotal moment in New York’s approach to mental health crises, reinforcing the need for a robust, health-centric response system. The next steps will involve identifying locations for the new teams and establishing protocols to ensure effective intervention in crisis situations.

Stay tuned for further updates as New York takes significant strides toward a safer and more compassionate response to mental health emergencies.