Recovery: Realizing Hopes and Dreams

We must ensure that individuals living with mental illness have the opportunity to fulfill their hopes and dreams. To do so, all the systems and services we design must support the ability for individuals living with mental illness to thrive in their own community and reach their personal goals. We...

Modeling Compassion to Reduce Mental Health Stigma

I grew up believing that I lived in a perfect family, including my grandparents’ generation. In a way, this provided a sense of safety and positivity in my world. As I grew older, I came to know about relatives who struggled with depression and anxiety. I also learned of individual and family...

Addressing Stigma: The Importance of Cultural Relevance and Early Intervention

The stigma surrounding mental illness can take a huge toll on children, youth, adults, and families with mental health concerns. Addressing stigma not only helps the individual, but the entire community. Eliminating discrimination that is caused by stigma can lead to improved opportunities for...

Governor Hochul Announces Details of $1 Billion Plan to Overhaul New York State’s Continuum of Mental Health Care

Transformative Plan to Increase Inpatient Psychiatric Treatment Capacity, Boost Insurance Coverage and Dramatically Expand Outpatient Services Investments will Create Transitional and Supportive Housing to Serve New Yorkers with Mental Illness; Create Systemic Accountability for Hospital...

Supporting Families in the Recovery Process

At the New York State Office of Mental Health, our Office of Advocacy and Peer Support Services (OAPSS) – formerly the Office of Consumer Affairs –supports families to play a vital role in the recovery and resilience process. The office is staffed by individuals with expertise gained through...

Innovative Programs are Transforming New York State’s Behavioral Healthcare System

As we recover from the COVID Pandemic, we must look forward to the future and the critical issues our behavioral health care system will need to address. We know that over 40% of New Yorkers will have a mental health impact from this pandemic and we are seeing over twice the number of our youth...

Improving Help-Seeking and Reducing Stigma Through Public Messaging

We know that mental health stigma can impact a person’s willingness to reach out for help. They may be afraid of what others will think or feel ashamed that they’re not “strong enough” to deal with a problem on their own. But we also know these thoughts are fueled by stigma, not truth....

How the NYS Office of Mental Health is Addressing and Reducing Stigma

Stigma towards individuals living with mental illness still permeates our society today. Stigma remains a major reason individuals and families don’t seek help when they are having emotional problems. The public stigma surrounding mental illness, often perpetuated by sensationalized media...

There Is Hope

People with mental illness have long experienced prejudice and discrimination. To stigmatize someone is to regard them worthy of disgrace or great disapproval. For the individual who is struggling to maintain their overall health and wellness a stigma poses a barrier to them being a member of the...

Peer Professionals and the Important Role They Play in the Recovery Process

When two people have something in common, it creates a bond that allows for meaningful discussions and a trusting relationship. This is the foundation of Peer Support and the reason for its success. Peer professionals share the knowledge, skills, and information they’ve learned from their own...