NEW YORK — Ahead of World Mental Health Day on October 10, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and the New York City Health Department introduced NYC Mental Health Connect, a website designed to assist New Yorkers in locating mental health and substance use services. The initiative, supported by funding from the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH), allows users to explore services from over 600 providers based on various criteria such as type of service, appointment availability, age groups, languages spoken, and insurance types, all through a quick questionnaire.
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Mayor Mamdani emphasized the importance of accessible mental health care, stating, “Finding an accessible, affordable mental health provider should be simple, but for too many, the difficulty of finding care can prevent them from seeking the help they need.” He added that NYC Mental Health Connect aims to provide tools to quickly find local or virtual services and remove barriers to essential mental health care.
Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Helen Arteaga noted the significance of the new resource, saying, “Access to affordable, high-quality mental health care should only be a few clicks away – and with NYC Mental Health Connect, now it is.” She highlighted the platform's ability to help users find care in their communities or online.
New York City Health Commissioner Alister F. Martin expressed concern over the lack of awareness about mental health support, stating, “Too many of our neighbors don’t use mental health support because they don’t know where to go.” He welcomed the launch as a means to simplify the search for appropriate services.
OMH Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan noted that NYC offers a comprehensive range of behavioral health support. She described the website as an easy-to-use tool that will assist residents in navigating available services tailored to their needs. Sullivan acknowledged the funding and support from Governor Hochul in creating this resource.
A 2024 report revealed that 24% of New York City teens surveyed expressed a need for mental health care but were unaware of how to access it. Additionally, almost half of adults who reported difficulty functioning due to mental health issues indicated an unmet need for treatment, with over 40% citing a lack of information on where to seek help as a barrier.
By completing the questionnaire on NYC Mental Health Connect, users can discover care options, learn about availability, and connect with providers. The platform also offers providers resources to identify services that could benefit their clients.
NYC Mental Health Connect features state-licensed and city-contracted programs accessible both at home and virtually, including outpatient clinics, rehabilitation services, peer support, and crisis services, among others. OMH allocated $5 million in one-time funding for the site's development and launch, with plans for the city to maintain and regularly update the site with current provider information.
For those experiencing a mental health crisis, assistance is available 24/7 by calling 988.