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ALBANY, NY- New York State Senator Joe Griffo and other state lawmakers are calling for what they refer to as \u201cmuch needed\u201d reform to the state\u2019s mental health system.<\/p>\n
Mental Health Awareness week just observed earlier this month and in New York State, more than 796,000 individuals were served by the New York State public mental health system in 2023, according to a 2025 report by the state Office of Mental Health (OMH) released last July.<\/p>\n
However, Griffo and other state lawmakers claim how the state\u2019s mental health system has been neglected over the years.<\/p>\n
Specifically, Griffo\u2019s office claims that 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. \u201cNew York is facing a worsening mental health crisis that has created many challenges for communities across the state,\u201d Sen. Griffo said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt 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 the individual 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNew York is facing a statewide mental health crisis, and we must confront these challenges head-on,\u201d said Assemblywoman Buttenschon.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cToo 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,\u201d Assemblyman Miller said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sen. Griffo, Assemblywoman Buttenschon and Assemblyman Miller\u2019s plan to reimagine the state\u2019s mental health system includes:<\/p>\n
Protecting Communities When Mental Illness Intersects with the Criminal Justice System<\/p>\n
\nSen. Griffo has introduced legislation (S.8567) that would set minimum terms of commitment to Office of Mental Health facilities for those who committed crimes while suffering from severe mental disease or defect and limit the ability of courts to release potentially dangerous offenders back into the community before such minimum terms have been served.
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Reversing Bed Closures, Expanding Access and Reopening Facilities<\/p>\n
\nAccording to the State Comptroller, New York\u2019s inpatient psychiatric capacity declined by 990 beds, or 10.5 percent, between April 2014 and December 2023, even as demand for mental health services increased. The shortage has pushed people into ERs, shelters, and jails \u2014 settings never designed for long-term treatment. Reopening and expanding psychiatric centers would relieve pressure on these institutions and restore local access, particularly in upstate regions that have lost their only facilities.
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Reimagining Psychiatric Centers for Today\u2019s Needs<\/p>\n
\nThese centers should not be seen as relics of the past. They can be redesigned to function more like assisted living or step-down programs, offering a continuum of care from stabilization to transitional housing and outpatient support. By integrating with community services, centers could serve as hubs that connect inpatient care with outpatient clinics, peer supports, and other social programs. This includes clinical care, vocational training, recreational programming, safe and secure living accommodations and nutritional sustenance.
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Reducing Strain on Jails and Hospitals<\/p>\n
\nSheriffs, judges, and hospital leaders have all raised concerns about the way psychiatric shortages shift responsibility to criminal justice and emergency departments. Expanding the state system would allow law enforcement and hospitals to focus on their missions, while ensuring people with serious mental illness receive care in the right setting.
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Addressing the Youth Mental Health Crisis<\/p>\n
\nThere is a critical shortage of psychiatric residential facilities and inpatient psychiatric beds for children in the state. New York should assess the effectiveness of current procedures and policies and explore modifications to better support vital services for youth facing multifaceted crises. Adequate levels of funding must also be made available for school counseling programs, early intervention and prevention resources and other related initiatives.
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Investing in Public Employee Workforce and Quality of Care<\/p>\n
\nStaffing shortages have been one of the biggest barriers to expanding access. The state should prioritize workforce development through loan forgiveness, training pipelines, and pay incentives. Investment here not only increases capacity but also improves quality and continuity of care.
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Providing Mental Health Resources to First Responders<\/p>\n
\nFirst responders often experience high levels of stress, burnout and mental health challenges. They deserve real support and increased access to mental health services, peer support programs, wellness initiatives and other resources. State funding should be reprioritized to enhance these programs and services and improve access to them.
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Reprioritizing State Funding to the State\u2019s Mental Health System and Other Challenges<\/p>\n
\nState funding could be reprioritized to help communities across the state better address mental health, substance abuse, addiction and homelessness challenges and other concerns.
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Additionally, Assemblywoman Buttenschon has introduced the following bills:<\/p>\n
A05213: Establishes a developmental disability, mental health, and behavioral condition community stakeholder committee to examine effective evidence-based developmental, mental, and behavioral health screening methods for children in kindergarten through fifth grade.<\/p>\n
A00674: Establishes the office of the independent intellectual and developmental disability ombudsperson program.<\/p>\n
A01068: Requires arrested individuals to be given a mental health evaluation form.<\/p>\n
A05583: Establishes the “Mariah N. Lacey-Reid Law” which aids designated hotline centers in developing protocols for terminating calls to the suicide prevention and behavioral health crisis hotline. Sen. Griffo has introduced a companion bill in the Senate.<\/p>\n
A09389: Creates interagency placement committees to recommend treatment and rehabilitation programs or strategies for youths with co-existing mental disabilities.<\/p>\n
New York State Capitol image.<\/p>\n
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