Jan 31, 2018
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Over 75,000 New Yorkers Now Trained in Mental Health First Aid
NYC First Lady Chirlane McCray and Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot announced that 75,000 New Yorkers have now been trained in Mental Health First Aid as part of the City’s goal to train 250,000 New Yorkers by 2021.
Mental Health First Aid, which is free as a part of ThriveNYC, is an evidence-based curriculum that teaches participants how to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental illness and substance misuse.
The curriculum also provides trainees with the skills to respond when someone close to them is experiencing a mental health or substance-use crisis. The training is free for New Yorkers as part of ThriveNYC, New York’s comprehensive plan to create a mental health system that works for everyone.
Sign up for a free class here.
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I was so excited to share ThriveNYC with so many change-makers at the Social Good Summit today! Our vision for 2030 requires all of us to step up — together we can create a culture of healing and wellness.
LGBTQ New Yorkers: Remember that NYC ALWAYS has your back!
Resources
LGBTQ health
LGBTQ Health Care Bill of Rights
NYC Unity Project
NYC First Lady Honored for ThriveNYC
New York City has been recognized as an innovative global leader on mental health reform, thanks in part to First Lady Chirlane McCray’s ThriveNYC.
Launched in November 2015, the program seeks to change the way City government and its many partners address community mental health needs. It also helps to dismantle the stigma associated with seeking mental health treatment.
“Although we have received a great deal of positive feedback for ThriveNYC’s public health approach, our work has just begun,” McCray said. “We are committed to building a culturally competent mental health system that meets the needs of all New Yorkers.”
“Under Mayor Bill de Blasio and First Lady Chirlane McCray, New York City has seen an unprecedented investment in mental health and substance use services,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett. “I encourage my fellow health commissioners in cities across the world to consider how they can reduce stigma, increase access to care and support the mental health of their constituency.”
ThriveNYC’s six guiding principles for achieving long-term change include:
Changing the culture by making mental health everybody’s business and having an open conversation about mental health.
Acting early to prevent, intervene more quickly and give New Yorkers more tools to weather challenges.
Closing treatment gaps by providing equal access to care for New Yorkers in every neighborhood.
Partnering with communities to embrace their wisdom and strength and to collaborate for culturally competent solutions.
Using data better to address gaps and improve programs.
Strengthening government’s ability to lead by coordinating an unprecedented effort to support the mental health of all New Yorkers.
More Resources
NYC Well
Learn more about depression
Dear Mayor DiBlasio & First Lady Chirlane McCray
I am a resident in an affordable housing unit in Chelsea, Manhattan. I’ve lived in the same apartment since 2012, when my son was only 6 months old. His father and I signed the lease and qualified for an affordable unit, with a total income of 160k for our family. At the time, I was not earning any income and caring for our son full time.
In 2014, my son’s father moved out of the apartment and we entered into the Family Court system for custody and support matters. I remained in the apartment, determined to keep a stable home for our son, and became responsible for the lease and monthly rent of $3665.
My lease was renewed in my name and my son’s father was taken off the lease. The management company allowed me to renew without having to qualify based on income, due to domestic violence. Having no work history for a few years, steady income or savings, and being a real estate agent in Manhattan, I knew I would not be accepted for a different apartment nor did I have a guarantor to help.
I have faced being evicted because I was unable to pay the rent when my son’s father failed to pay child support. I am now facing eviction again because of serious financial strain. I understand that I am one of many New Yorkers that craves the luxury of stable, affordable housing and I’m grateful for having my apartment.
Tonight I watched the Town Hall meeting on Youtube where you discussed the issue of affordable housing, and that the goal is to “build affordable housing and keep people in the affordable housing that they have.” My building, specifically is part of the 421-tax incentive and 80% of the building is affordable while 20% is for low income residents.
I have asked the landlord to work with me so that I am not displaced from the apartment. I’ve asked that my income be reviewed and rent adjusted as I am now a low-income resident. I was told that my unit, is not “one of the low-income units”. It is on a higher floor with a nice view and despite the housing “lottery”, management reserves the better apartments for tenants that have a higher income.
Please make a difference for my family and my son’s future and help us become one of the “families that have affordable housing for the long haul”. You spoke tonight about a housing preservation program which constitutes 30% of a tenants income the determining factor for monthly rent. This is a brilliant idea- fair and efficient.
The ability to have stable housing affects every aspect of our lives, and we hope to continue to thrive in this community.
Thank you for serving this wonderful City, we will be lucky to have you for another term.
Warm Regards,
Michelle Mascioli
Our country is in the throes of an opioid epidemic, and I praise President Obama's push to reduce injudicious opioid prescribing, which is key to turning this epidemic around. We must also continue to expand treatment options and reduce stigma. With resources, substance misuse is preventable and treatable.
In New York City, we have created guidelines for prescribing opioid analgesics to try to stop the problem before it starts. We are also making effective addiction treatments, such as buprenorphine, more available. We have equipped all of our first responders with naloxone, a life-saving medicine that reverses overdose, and are deploying peer navigators to connect those who have overdosed with proper care.
We cannot tackle the disease of addiction alone. Earlier this year, Congress passed legislation to expand prevention and treatment programs to help us in this fight, but we need the funding to put that legislation into action. This week I have been in Washington, D.C. lobbying for more resources for mental health and substance misuse programs. As leaders, the onus is on us to help the many who suffer needlessly. I urge Congress to allocate the funds we need to help our families and so we can do our jobs to help those who suffer from this disease.
Although we began the parade with heavy hearts, it was affirming to speak out on Monday for a safer J'Ouvert and be one of the hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers who came together at the West Indian Day Parade to march in a proud, colorful and peaceful celebration of Caribbean people.