{"id":2757,"date":"2024-11-25T14:27:16","date_gmt":"2024-11-25T19:27:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/?p=2757"},"modified":"2024-11-27T13:32:29","modified_gmt":"2024-11-27T18:32:29","slug":"to-address-ongoing-youth-mental-health-crisis-new-york-city-council-hears-legislation-to-provide-mental-health-support-for-public-school-students","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/2024\/11\/25\/2757\/","title":{"rendered":"To Address Ongoing Youth Mental Health Crisis, New York City Council Hears Legislation to Provide Mental Health Support for Public School Students"},"content":{"rendered":"

Legislative package, first outlined in Speaker Adams\u2019 2024 State of the City Address, represents Council\u2019s fourth stop on its Mental Health Roadmap<\/em><\/p>\n

City Hall, NY<\/strong> – Today, the New York City Council\u2019s Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities, and Addiction held a hearing on a package of legislation to increase mental health support and programs for students in the city\u2019s public schools. The Council is considering solutions that would empower students to understand and navigate mental health issues alongside their peers through student wellness clubs, peer-to peer-training, and access to additional mental health professionals.<\/p>\n

With youth mental health challenges on the rise<\/a>, the Council held a series of listening sessions with stakeholders to better understand the struggles of young New Yorkers and possible solutions. Together, the bills being heard are the result of the listening sessions and represent the Council\u2019s fourth stop in the Mental Health Roadmap,<\/a> a comprehensive and evolving plan to improve mental health outcomes for New Yorkers. The legislation was first outlined in Speaker Adrienne Adams\u2019 2024 State of the City Address, where she called for solutions<\/a> to tackle rising youth mental health concerns.<\/p>\n

The Fourth Stop of the Council\u2019s Mental Health Roadmap includes<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

Introduction 986<\/a>, sponsored by Council Member Rita Joseph<\/strong>, would require the Commissioner of Health and Mental Hygiene to develop a two-year pilot program to involve mental health professionals and professional candidates in student wellness clubs in public middle and high schools. <\/p>\n

Introduction 989<\/a>, sponsored by Council Member Linda Lee<\/strong>, would require the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to create student wellness club toolkits, informational materials to guide students about how to create student wellness clubs, peer-led student spaces focused on student wellbeing and mental health. <\/p>\n

Introduction 996<\/a>, sponsored by Council Member Althea Stevens<\/strong>, would require the Commissioner of Health and Mental Hygiene to develop and offer to public middle and high school students a peer-to-peer mental health training program. The program would teach students how to identify and assist peers who are experiencing mental health issues, basic mental health concepts and how to maintain personal mental wellbeing, and about opportunities to access mental health resources. <\/p>\n

Introduction 1103<\/a>, sponsored by Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala<\/strong>, would require the Police Department, within 24 hours of a determination that a violent or traumatic incident has occurred, to notify the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene of such incident. Upon receiving notice of a violent or traumatic incident, DOHMH would be required to conduct outreach to affected community members regarding the availability of mental health counseling and other social services from City agencies and City-funded non-governmental organizations.<\/p>\n

Video of the hearing can be watched here,<\/a> and photos can be viewed here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Previous stops on the Mental Health Roadmap include:<\/p>\n

\u00b7         Stop 1: Preventive Services, Workforce, Awareness, and Coordination<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00b7         Stop 2: Veteran Mental Health<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00b7         Stop 3: Maternal Mental Health<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cSupporting youth in their mental health struggles is essential for their well-being and success, especially in school, where pressures can feel overwhelming,\u201d said\u00a0Speaker Adrienne Adams<\/strong>. \u201cProven models like student wellness clubs and peer-to-peer support groups provide safe spaces for students to share challenges, build empathy, and connect with others who understand. By normalizing conversations about mental health in schools and fostering resilience, these solutions empower young people to navigate difficulties and develop lifelong coping skills. Providing these supports for our young New Yorkers will help foster a healthier and more connected future for our city.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs our city continues to ensure positive mental health outcomes for all, we must create the environment for our young people in need to succeed,\u201d said Council Member Linda Lee, Chair of the Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities, and Addictions<\/strong>. \u201cAs our Mental Health Roadmap expands to incorporate the challenges of our youth in our school system, my bill, Intro. 989, will require the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to guide students in creating peer-led wellness groups to facilitate their well-being. Peer support services are one of the most effective and rapidly growing models in health care and can serve as a valuable resource for our school communities, as our city continues to combat the ongoing mental health crisis.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cToo often, survivors of violent and traumatic incidents never get the support or guidance needed to help them process and deal with the lasting impacts of their experience,\u201d said Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala<\/strong>. \u201cIntroduction 1103 requires the Police Department and the Department of Mental Health and Hygiene to coordinate efforts to help individuals and their families navigate and manage the resulting trauma. Our city agencies and various community-based organizations have many programs and supports to address these issues yet oftentimes the challenge is connecting people to them. It\u2019s time for real coordination between city agencies to ensure our communities receive the help they deserve.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a forever educator and a mother, I know firsthand the importance of creating safe spaces where our young people can openly discuss their mental health,\u201d said Council Member Rita Joseph, Chair of the Committee on Education<\/strong>. \u201cThis legislation to establish a two-year pilot program integrating mental health professionals into school wellness clubs is a critical step toward fostering emotional well-being in our students. By equipping them with the tools to navigate challenges, we are not only addressing immediate needs but also building a foundation for lifelong resilience. Every child in New York City deserves access to the mental health support they need to thrive, and this program can be a powerful investment in their future.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs mental health challenges continue to affect our youth disproportionately, this legislation represents a crucial step forward for New York City. We are fostering a culture of compassion, awareness, and resilience by equipping middle and high school students with the tools to identify and support their peers,\u201d said Council Member Althea Stevens, Chair of the Committee on Children & Youth<\/strong>. \u201cThis legislation will not only empower our young people to maintain their mental well-being but will also create a network of support within our schools, ensuring that no student feels alone. Together, we are closing the gap on mental health disparities and creating a stronger, healthier future for our families and communities.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe applaud Speaker Adrienne Adams and the New York City Council for their Mental Health Roadmap and commitment to addressing the youth mental health crisis,\u201d said Matt Kudish, CEO of NAMI-NYC<\/strong>, helping families and individuals affected by mental illness. \u201cLeveraging 40+ years of experience, NAMI-NYC is well positioned to offer teens with peer-based tools and resources. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the City Council to meet the mental health needs of young New Yorkers.\u201d<\/p>\n

###<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Legislative package, first outlined in Speaker Adams\u2019 2024 State of the City Address, represents Council\u2019s fourth stop on its Mental Health Roadmap<\/em><\/p>\n

City Hall, NY<\/strong> – Today, the New York City Council\u2019s Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities, and Addiction held a hearing on a package of legislation to increase mental health support and programs for students in the city\u2019s public schools.<\/p>\n

…<\/p>\n

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