Join advocates from throughout New York State as we come together to make our voices heard during one of the most important legislative sessions for the delivery of mental health services.
The Governor's budget currently calls for the closure of eight state psychiatric hospitals. While NAMI-NYS opposes any closures (click here to read NAMI-NYS's statement on state hospital closures), we must fight to ensure that every dollar of these savings from closures are reinvested into non-profit community services which meet the standards of community care set forth in the NAMI Public Policy Platform and ensures that no one has to travel more than one hour to a psychiatric emergency room.
As we need as many grass-roots advocates as possible to tell our elected officials that we will not allow people living with mental illness to receive anything less than the most comprehensive services to promote their recovery.
(click on the blue titles for more information)
Reinvestment in Community Services
Recognizing the need of some persons with serious mental illness for intensive inpatient and outpatient treatment, NAMI-NYS supports that money saved from closures of psychiatric inpatient beds shall be reinvested in community-based services. NAMI-NYS wants to see a dollar-for-dollar reinvestment from the savings from bed reductions go to create community support services that are aligned with our belief that all publicly funded community service providers must offer practices and services that have proven effective results.
Safe and affordable housing with the availability of support services is the cornerstone of successful recovery from a mental illness within the community setting. Access to decent, safe, and affordable housing remains a tremendous challenge for adults with serious mental illnesses. It is important that appropriate services and suppports are also provided so that our loved ones have the best chance possible to live in a residence that provides them with dignity and as much independence as possible.
Sustained Support of NYS Research Institutions
We are fortunate to have two of the world's top leading psychiatric research institutes operating in our own state; Psychiatric Institute and Nathan Kline Institute. It is crucial that New York State sustains funding to these institutes who are not only engaged in cutting-edge research, but also provide jobs to hundreds of New Yorkers and prestige to the State of New York. Research lines that have been frozen over the years, should finally be allowed to be filled by the institute. RESEARCH IS OUR HOPE FOR THE FUTURE.
Expansion of Crisis Intervention Teams
Contacts between law enforcement officers and individuals experiencing mental illness can be deadly, dangerous or result in poor outcomes for the individual. This is why NAMI-NYS supports the expansion of Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT), which train law enforcement officers how to deescalate situations and take appropriate action to assist an individual in the midst of a mental health crisis. NAMI-NYS supports the expansion of CIT using the CIT Core Elements program which saves lives, reduces harm, and results in better outcomes for the individuals.
Mental Health Services for Veterans and the Military Community
Supporting those who have served our country should be a top priority. We call on the Legislature and the Governor to assist veterans on all issues, but specifically those relating to mental health; our veterans deserve nothing less. Returning combat veterans are experiencing very high rates of serious mental illness, suicide, addiction, homelessness and incarceration related to posttraumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. More must be done in New York to provide services to America's returning heroes of combat.
NAMI-NYS also calls for the inclusion of mental health education into school's already existing health curriculums, as well as the expansion of mental health courts throughout the state.
Formal Lunch Program Noon-1:15 Featuring:
- Anne Sullivan, MD, Acting Commissioner, New York State Office of Mental Health
- NYS Senator David Carlucci, Chair, Senate Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Committee
- NYS Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther, Chair, Assembly Mental Health Committee
- Presentation of an award to NYS Senator Lee Zeldin honoring his work to expand veteran's mental health services.
- Presentation of an award to the Nation Kline Institute recognizing their inclusion of being in the top 1% of the world's research institutes.
- Addresses by members of the NYS Senate and Assembly Mental Health Committees.
PLEASE DO NOT SCHEDULE LEGISLATIVE VISITS DURING THE LUNCH PROGRAM
This year NAMI-NYS will be providing buses from various locations, please call the numbers listed for more information on each pick-up location.
Nassau County-516-326-0797
Jamaica, Queens-516-326-0797
Brooklyn-718-512-5269
Rockland County-845-359-8787
Syracuse-315-487-2085
SCHEDULE YOUR LEGISLATIVE VISITS TODAY!
Click here to find your Assemblymember
Click here to find your Senator.