Sixteen school-based mental health clinics will open within the next six months to offer care to more than 6,000 New York City Public Schools students across the Bronx and Central Brooklyn.
As part of a partnership with NYC Health + Hospitals, the clinics will provide individual, family and group therapy and offer additional outpatient and telehealth services as needed, according to an April 17 news release from New York Mayor Eric Adams' office.
The clinics also will equip schools with on-site mental health crisis support designed to decrease unnecessary 911 calls, emergency room visits and hospitalizations. Additionally, mental health clinic staff will provide consultation, training and workshops to teachers and staff.
The clinics are part of the mayor's mental health agenda and were funded with $3.6 million from the Mental Health Continuum, a $5 million partnership between NYC Health + Hospitals, the city Department of Education, the city Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and Advocates for Children. Additionally, the New York state Office of Mental Health provided $700,000 in grants through the Mental Health Outpatient Treatment and Rehabilitative Service Program, according to the release.