AAF Statement on Governor Hochul’s Comprehensive Plan to Fix New York’s Continuum of Mental Health Care
On behalf of the Asian American Federation (AAF), we applaud Governor Kathy Hochul’s recent proposals outlined in the State of the State address to enhance mental health services for all New Yorkers. The commitment to invest $60 million in capital and $121.6 million in operating funding to expand psychiatric emergency programs, community behavioral health clinics, and other essential services is a commendable step towards addressing the mental health needs of our diverse population and ensuring every New Yorker receives the best care possible.
We acknowledge and appreciate the Governor’s proposals to close gaps in insurance coverage for behavioral health services and establish comprehensive psychiatric emergency programs as well as the commitment to tripling the number of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics in New York that offer walk-in, immediate integrated mental health and substance use disorder services for New Yorkers of all ages and insurance status. We believe that Governor Hochul’s commitment to ensuring timely access to school-based services for children, backed by requiring commercial insurance providers to pay at a level equal to the Medicaid rate, is a crucial step towards prioritizing the mental well-being of our youth.
While we celebrate these initiatives, we also want to emphasize the importance of incorporating cultural competence and language accessibility into the broader framework of mental healthcare services. Our diverse communities have unique healthcare needs, and it is crucial that mental health services are designed to be inclusive and sensitive to cultural differences.
The AAPI community is experiencing unprecedented growth in New York State even as AAPI New Yorkers grapple with elevated poverty rates and challenges associated with limited English proficiency. Regrettably, Asian Americans in New York remain marginalized, underrepresented, and, significantly, lacking in resources. The Covid pandemic and its damaging aftermath of anti-Asian violence has led to unprecedented levels of demand for mental health in the AAPI community—needs that are largely going unmet. We urge our leaders to prioritize substantial investments for our communities, and in community-led initiatives including critical mental health programs that are culturally targeted and language accessible.
Only then will there be accountability and fairness in the delivery of mental health services and an environment where everyone, regardless of cultural background or language proficiency, can access the mental health care they need.
In conclusion, we express our support for Governor Hochul’s commitment to improving behavioral health services in New York and commend the dedication to addressing the mental health needs of our communities. By incorporating cultural competence and language accessibility, we believe we can create a healthcare system that truly meets the needs of all New Yorkers.