Mental Health Association in New York State Releases 10 Recommendations to Improve Mental Health Crisis Response
The Mental Health Association in New York State (MHANYS) has released 10 recommendations to improve New York’s mental health crisis response. According to MHANYS, the state misses too many opportunities to intervene on behalf of people with mental health needs, leading to scapegoating, stigmatizing, and discriminating against them.
Workforce Shortages and Staffing Issues
MHANYS reported that about 25% of jobs in the industry are vacant, and that lack of workers delays care and contributes to waitlists. They want the state to invest in the workforce to fix staffing shortages, arguing that Gov. Kathy Hochul should budget for a 7.8% pay increase in the field for the upcoming fiscal year.
Support for Those Releasing from Hospitals, Prisons, and Jails
MHANYS wants better support for those getting out of hospitals, prisons, or jails. To achieve safer “hand-offs,” they proposed monitoring people with mental health or substance use disorders for 30 days after release when they’re at their most vulnerable. Approving regulations that require hospitals to coordinate follow-up care after discharge would also help.
Statewide Initiatives
MHANYS also wants the state to implement the New York Health Equity 1115 waiver to give Medicaid recipients better access to social care services. The waiver is a Medicaid program integrating more traditional healthcare considerations with health-related social needs.
Insurance Coverage and Parity Laws
Citing findings from the Attorney General’s Office that 86% of mental health providers listed by insurers are unreachable or not accepting new patients, MHANYS wants those insurers to provide better coverage for mental health treatment. They said that the state should enact higher penalties for and better enforcement of parity laws. Doing so would inspire insurers to reimburse mental health treatment more often, at a rate closer to that of reimbursements for physical health treatments.
Joint State and City Care Monitoring Teams
MHANYS wants the state to create joint state and city care monitoring teams to oversee the treatment of high-need individuals. They would coordinate services to offer more consistent, more effective care to people with severe mental illness.
Mental Health Courts and Community Partners
Expanding mental health courts would offer all New Yorkers alternatives to incarceration, supporting recovery in an effort to limit recidivism. Today, they operate in 40 counties. That’s why MHANYS recommended installing them statewide.
Public Awareness and Training
The MHANYS plan also pushes for public awareness campaigns about available resources like the 988 hotline. It also includes training so that law enforcement crisis intervention teams can better respond to mental health emergencies.
Conclusion
MHANYS’s comprehensive 10-point plan is a response to New York State’s growing mental health crisis. It is important to consider these evidence-based recommendations to uplift our most vulnerable community members.
FAQs
Q: What is the main issue with New York’s mental health crisis response?
A: The state misses too many opportunities to intervene on behalf of people with mental health needs, leading to scapegoating, stigmatizing, and discriminating against them.
Q: What is the proposed solution to the workforce shortages in the mental health industry?
A: MHANYS recommends investing in the workforce to fix staffing shortages, arguing that Gov. Kathy Hochul should budget for a 7.8% pay increase in the field for the upcoming fiscal year.
Q: What is the goal of the New York Health Equity 1115 waiver?
A: The waiver aims to give Medicaid recipients better access to social care services, addressing social care issues like unstable housing, lack of transportation, or unaffordable prescriptions.
Q: What is the purpose of the joint state and city care monitoring teams?
A: The teams would coordinate services to offer more consistent, more effective care to people with severe mental illness.
Q: What is the goal of expanding mental health courts?
A: Expanding mental health courts would offer all New Yorkers alternatives to incarceration, supporting recovery in an effort to limit recidivism.
