MEDIA ADVISORY | Event: March 13, 2024
Contact: Glenn Liebman, 518.434-0439 (o), 518-360-7916 (m) gliebman@mhanys.org
Mental Health Matters Day
Mental Health Advocates and Students Rally at the State Capitol to Bring Attention to New York’s Mental Health Needs
ALBANY, N.Y. — Mental Health Matters Day will bring more than 300 mental health professionals, advocates and students to the State Capitol Wednesday, March 13. Together, they will call on state lawmakers to support the mental health needs of New Yorkers, urging action on key legislative and budgetary measures.
The Mental Health Association in New York State (MHANYS) organizes the annual Mental Health Matters Day to help New Yorkers make their voices heard on issues affecting the mental health and wellness of their communities. MHANYS is partnering with the American Foundation for Suicide
Prevention (AFSP) for this year’s event. This year, their priorities include:
- Mental health workforce: 3.2 percent Cost of Living Adjustment for human service workers in addition to $500 million for the behavioral health workforce. MHANYS is also calling on the legislature to pass a bill to study pension and retirement options for non- profit human service employees.
- Education and higher education mental health: Legislation that responds to the mental health needs of schools, colleges and universities including excused absences for mental health, suicide prevention and training for school teachers as well legislation that responds to the college mental health crisis.
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Legislation to enact a monthly surcharge up to 35 cents per access line on telecom customers to pay for the costs associated with the administration, design, installation, construction, operation, or maintenance of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in New York.
WHEN: Wednesday, March 13
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- 9:30-11:45 a.m. – MHANYS Legislative Briefing with remarks from lawmakers and advocates
- 12:00 p.m. – Rally outside the State Capitol
WHERE: New York State Capitol, Albany
- MHANYS Legislative Briefing in Empire State Plaza Convention Center (9:30-11:45 a.m.)
- Rally planned for West Capitol Park, outside the State Capitol (12:00 p.m.)
