Legislative Action Community

Mental Health Comes First

90% of US adults say the US is experiencing a mental health crisis.

Let’s do our work NYS and make mental health a priority in Education, Workforce, & Community

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Ring the Bell

Five reasons to take action with five mental health initiatives.

Learn more about the specific policies for each issue in the MHANYS 2023 Legislative Briefing Book.

Take Action Now

Support Mental Health Workforce Funding and Community Support

“We need an 8.5% Cost of Living Adjustment for the Mental Health Workforce”

Mental Health Workforce Funding

Support a Cost of Living Adjustment of 8.5%

  1. Assure a workforce sufficient to meet growing demand for mental health services
  2. Vacancy rates and turnover have led to negatively impacting patient care
  3. 800,000 human services workers and 3 million New Yorkers served
  4. 80% of the workforce are women; 50% are people of color
  5. 60% of the workforce qualifies for public assistance
Higher Education and Mental Health

Support Mental Health Literacy and Whole Health Parity Legislation

  1. There is a growing mental health crisis on college campuses
  2. College student depression has increased by 135% over 8 years; Anxiety increased 110%
  3. College faculty and staff mental health has also grown worse
  4. Increased mental health literacy fosters treatment seeking behavior and reduces stigma
  5. Whole health parity prioritizes mental health to equal physical health
School Mental Health

Support the Mental Health Literacy of Students and School Personnel

  1. The COVID pandemic has negatively impacted student mental health
  2. The onset of mental illnesses begins at age 14; age 7 for anxiety disorders
  3. The School Mental Health Resource and Training Center supports mental health literacy
  4. Increased mental health literacy of teachers and school staff encourages timely treatment
  5. Excused absences for mental health contributes to a culture and climate of wellness
Housing

Support Increased Funding for Supportive Housing

  • Sufficient housing capacity supports community based recovery
  • The risk for experiencing homelessness increases without supportive housing
  • 40,000 New Yorkers rely on supportive housing in order to live independently in the community
  • Current funding levels have not kept pace with inflation. Providers are at risk of closing
  • Sufficient housing capacity avoids more costly settings
Mental Health Needs of Veterans

Support Funding for the Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer to Peer Program

  1. More than 6% of the U.S. population have served or are serving in the military
  2. Veterans are at increased risk of PTSD and depression
  3. 44 veterans die on average per day from suicide
  4. This program has been successful at engaging veterans and is now available in every county
  5. Peer based mental health services increases the likelihood that veterans access care
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Resources

Want to learn more about advocacy? Check out our course, videos, and handouts.

Want to learn more about mental health-related policy? Check out our policy documents.

Policy Documents

Memorandums of Support

Mental Health Parity Memo in Support – S3995-A5238

9-8-8 Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Hotline System Memo in Support – S.6194-B-A.7177-B

Amend the Labor Law in Relation to Workplace Mental Health Memo in Support – S.7577-A.8675

Opioid Settlement Fund Memo in Support – S.7194-A.6395-B

The Definition of the Practice of Pharmacy Memo in Support – A.3040

Masters-in-Mental Health Incentive Scholarship Program Memo in Support  – S.7553

All Products Clauses Memo in Support – A.252
AN ACT to amend the social services law, the public health law and the insurance law, in relation to prohibiting a provider of health care coverage from requiring providers of behavioral health services to offer all products offered by the provider of health care coverage.

Continuity in Coverage for Prescription Drugs Memo in Support – S.2849 /A.2969

Mental Health Teacher Training Memo in Support – A.2136

Student Suicide Prevention Act Memo in Support – S.82/A.4763

School Mental Health Absences Memo in Support – S.563/A.1869

Amend the Insurance Law: Step Therapy Memo in Support – S.5909/A.3276

Health Plan Coverage Memo in Support – S.4111/A.4688

Legislation to Improve Maternal Mental Health Memo in Support – S.7752 (Brouk) S.7753 (Brouk) S.7865 (Brouk)/A.5076-A (Solages)

Treatment Not Jail Memo in Support – Act S.2881B Ramos/A8524 Forrest

Regarding Postpartum Depression Screening Tests Memo in Support – S.7753 (Brouk)/A.9102 (Gonzalez-Rojas)

Regarding Maternal Depression Screenings Memo in Support – S.7865 (Brouk)/A.5076-A (Solages)

Regarding Maternal Mental Health and Perinatal and Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorders Memo in Support – S.7752 (Brouk)/A.9085 (Clark)

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Victories

Throughout the years, MHANYS has had several legislative victories.

Learn more about the most recent!


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