NYAPRS Note: As part of NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio’s and First Lady Chirlane McCray’s titanic ThriveNYC initiative, the two have announced the formation of a permanent mental health council. McCray said, “Creating a permanent interagency Mental Health Council will ensure the long-term collaboration needed to improve mental wellness in our city.”
The council consists of 20 members including McCray and representatives from the Department of Aging and the Police Department. It will serve as an advisory group to the mayor on mental health related matters.
ThriveNYC Establishes Permanent Mental Health Council
by Leila Roos JP Updates March 31, 2016
Mental health is complex — addressing treatment, prevention and mental well-being likewise requires a sophisticated approach. New York City has made a significant move unto that end, establishing a permanent mental health council. The conglomerate of 20 city agencies will prioritize and coordinate policies to promote good mental health for New Yorkers.
Mayor Bill de Blasio and First Lady Chirlane McCray made the announcement on Thursday.
“The breakdown of support for mental health services didn’t happen overnight, and building it up won’t happen overnight either,” said McCray in a statement. “Creating a permanent interagency Mental Health Council will ensure the long-term collaboration needed to improve mental wellness in our city.”
The new council comes by way of ThriveNYC, a strategy and set of initiatives for a comprehensive approach to mental health involving multiple city agencies. Spearheaded by McCray, ThriveNYC attempts to destigmatize mental illness and provide better access to care.
“Improving New Yorkers’ mental health is not the sole responsibility of a single agency,” said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives Richard Buery in a statement. “When one in five New Yorkers suffers a mental health illness in any given year, we are facing a public health crisis — one that every part of City government needs to come together to address.”
The Mental Health Council is composed of 20 members, including McCray and Buery, as well as representatives from the Department of Aging and the Police Department. The council will serve as an advisory group to the mayor on relevant initiatives, advocate for programs designed to overcome barriers to treatment, make recommendations on legislation regarding mental issues, and work with a network of organizations to provide superior mental health care.
http://jpupdates.com/2016/03/31/thrivenyc-establishes-permanent-and-mental-health-council/