New York Governor Kathy Hochul visited the Manhattan Midtown Community Justice Center on April 24th to learn about the mental health court system. She announced on the spot that the budget for the fiscal year 2025 will inject over $33 million into investing in mental health services. This investment includes increasing psychiatric hospital beds, supportive housing, and expanding law enforcement units’ training to address mental health issues.
According to the Governor’s Office, the budget includes adding 200 beds to New York State psychiatric hospitals, including 25 forensic beds and 3 family transitional teams (25 beds per team), to serve individuals who require specialized care, such as those with a history of multiple criminal offenses needing inpatient psychiatric treatment.
$4.3 million in the budget is allocated for transitional housing for individuals referred by the court system; $2.8 million for housing for homeless individuals or criminals with mental illness; and $1 million for expanding training for crisis intervention teams collaborating with police agencies to better address individuals with severe mental health issues.
Additionally, $8.2 million is designated for placing mental health navigators in courts to identify defendants with a history of mental health treatment, lack of treatment, or other mental health issues. $14.6 million is allocated to strengthen and expand the Forensic Assertive Community Treatment, reducing caseloads and providing intensive support to individuals with severe mental illness, linking them to care and housing, ensuring compliance with medication and treatment plans, and supporting the development of patients’ life skills.