UPDATE: The New York State Office of Mental Health has just announced a groundbreaking investment of $6 million to launch health-led behavioral health crisis response teams across the state. This initiative, revealed on Monday, directly responds to urgent recommendations from the Daniel’s Law Task Force, established after the tragic death of Daniel Prude in 2020 during a mental health incident in Rochester.
This funding aims to create or enhance at least three crisis response teams—targeting rural, suburban, and urban communities. Each team will consist of trained behavioral health professionals and peer support specialists, fundamentally shifting the response paradigm to prioritize compassionate care rather than law enforcement intervention in mental health crises.
Dr. Ann Sullivan, Commissioner of the Office of Mental Health and chair of the task force, emphasized the urgency of this initiative, stating, “By establishing a health-led system of response, we can help communities to safely and compassionately address those individuals who experience a behavioral health crisis.” The program aims to establish a model that better serves the diverse needs of New York communities.
Grants of up to $2 million will be available for municipalities to either set up new teams or expand existing ones, providing essential resources for effective crisis intervention. This pilot program is a vital step toward fulfilling key recommendations outlined in the task force’s report released last December, which advocates for standardized protocols in behavioral health crisis responses.
The task force recommends that when individuals reach out for help via 911 or 988 regarding mental health or substance abuse crises, specially trained teams should respond, with law enforcement only involved if there is a clear threat of violence. This approach aims to eliminate the criminalization of individuals experiencing mental health emergencies.
State Senator Samra Brouk voiced her support for the initiative, stating, “Since the tragic death of Daniel Prude in 2020, I have fought for the passage of Daniel’s Law to ensure that we implement a compassionate, peer-led mental health crisis response system across New York State.” She added, “This multi-million-dollar investment in Daniel’s Law pilot programs is a major step forward to help New Yorkers in crisis with trauma-informed care.”
As communities anticipate these critical changes, the focus remains on delivering immediate, effective support for individuals in mental health distress. The establishment of health-led behavioral health crisis response teams marks a crucial shift in how New York State addresses mental health emergencies, ensuring that compassionate care takes center stage.
Stay tuned for more updates as this important initiative unfolds and communities begin the process of implementing these vital teams. The impact of this funding will be felt across New York, offering hope and support to those in need during their most challenging times.
