Hochul allocates $43 million to psychiatric services as the debate over involuntary hospitalization rages on amNewYork

"Part of our efforts to strengthen our mental health care system is ensuring any New Yorker in crisis can access treatment services whenever and whereverthey need them,Hochul said.By expanding psychiatric emergency programs and building more inpatient capacity, we can ensure that anyone who experiences a mental health crisis can get the timely, comprehensive care they can rely on to begin their journey toward recovery."

"Claudia, a homeless woman who sleeps on the street in the Gramercy Park area, told amNewYork that she would rather stay on the sidewalk than enter the shelter system due to the prevalence of mental health issues and drug addiction. The thievery is really bad, and it sucks because, like, a lot of shelter facilities are really gross. Like, really gross. I'd rather use public restrooms out here than a lot of those places, Claudia sa"

Governor Kathy Hochul allocated $43 million to expand psychiatric services statewide and strengthen emergency mental health programs. The funding includes $23 million to develop new and expand existing resources and $20 million solely to increase bed capacity. Objectives include improving safety in psychiatric units, increasing beds to serve those in need, and adding capacity to treat children. Expansion of psychiatric emergency programs and inpatient capacity aims to provide timely, comprehensive care for New Yorkers in crisis. The announcement comes amid renewed debate over involuntary hospitalization for homeless people with mental illness, and reports of homeless individuals sheltering in subways and avoiding shelters due to theft, filth, and drug activity.

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