ALBANY – Gov. Kathy Hochul announced new funding on Wednesday to establish 13 new behavioral health clinics statewide, including two new clinics in the Capital Region and Mohawk Valley.
The funding is a part of the $1 billion allocated in this year’s state budget for mental health services. Each of the 13 clinics will receive $3.5 million to double the number of clinics statewide from 13 to 26. Behavioral Health Services North received a conditional award to establish a clinic in the Capital Region and Upstate Cerebral Palsy will open one in the Mohawk Valley.
Speaking in New York City, Hochul said the goal is to eventually have 39 clinics.
“We'll soon have 39 clinics. This will help serve thousands and thousands of New Yorkers, literally tripling the number we've had since I came into office and making sure that we continue these investments,” the Democrat said. “Also, people walk in the door, they don't have an insurance card, they don't have a doctor, they don't have any kind of coverage. We're investing an additional $11 million to help people overcome this. They can walk in the door and still get services and insurance will still be paid for.”
Mental health and addiction problems have been on the rise since the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Mayo Clinic, the uncertainty, altered daily routines, financial pressure and social isolation during the pandemic have led to an increasing number of adults suffering from mental health issues and addiction. It notes hoping mental health problems such as anxiety and depression will go away on their own can lead to worsening symptoms.
The state’s funding will be allocated through the state Office of Mental Health and state Office of Addiction Services and Supports working in partnership. Hochul said creating clinics that address both problems will make getting help more accessible to New Yorkers.
“You can have mental health challenges and have depression and suicidal thoughts, be bipolar, but also have substance abuse challenges, addiction to fentanyl, to opioids, and other addictive materials. Often you have to go to two different places. Think about that,” Hochul said. “You have to go here for your mental health services and then find time in your day, in your life. To then have to go find support for your addictions and to how you can get support and therapy for two different co-occurring disorders. We're changing that. That model does not work any longer.”
Also on Wednesday, Hochul warned residents of a rise in flu cases as the winter season starts. While there were 125,709 flu cases and 7,471 hospitalizations during the 2021-22 season, flu cases surged last year, with 336,986 cases and 24,074 hospitalizations.
“ I want to acknowledge that flu season is here again. And it has gone up — the number of flu cases in the state of New York is now defined as prevalent in the state, that's a new category. The flu is prevalent here in New York, they are up 25% over one week. Hospitalizations are up 30%. Very, very sad to report that there have been two pediatric deaths related to flu,” she said. “So, I want to make sure that everyone is reminded to get their flu shots. I had mine a couple days ago, and it's really important that we keep ourselves and our families safe.”