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...

NYS Office of Mental Health Announces Funding to Strengthen Suicide Prevention Efforts for Veterans and Uniformed Personnel

The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) recently announced funding for a new initiative to strengthen resiliency and suicide prevention efforts among military Veterans and uniformed personnel, including law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical service members, and...

Office of Mental Health Receives Grant to Expand Access to Fresh Healthy Produce to People with Mental Illness

The NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH) has received a $200,000 award to help people with mental illness gain access to healthy, fresh produce. The grant, from the NYS Health Foundation, will be used to expand the FreshConnect Checks Program and bring mobile farmers’ markets to congregate housing...

The Important Role Volunteers Play in OMH’s Mission to Help Vulnerable New Yorkers

Volunteers are extraordinary people who play a critical role in behavioral healthcare. This was never more evident than during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic when the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) reached out to mental health care professionals and asked that they...

New York State Office of Mental Health Enhances Recruitment Efforts to Address Workforce Shortages

As New York State faces another wave of COVID-19, the need for access to mental health care in our communities has never been more urgent. Unfortunately, healthcare delivery systems across the nation are overwhelmed and understaffed. And while this workforce shortage presents many challenges, it...

New York State OMH Awards $30 Million for Support Teams to Assist Long-Term Homeless People and Individuals Transitioning From Inpatient Care

The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) today announced an award of $30 million over five years to Coordinated Behavioral Care (CBC) to operate eight treatment teams that work with vulnerable New Yorkers living with mental illness. The teams focus on people transitioning back to the...