Mental Health Benefits Project
When mental illness strikes, a lack of comprehensive mental health benefits frequently deters individuals from seeking appropriate treatment. Untreated mental illness can result in more serious, treatment-resistant illnesses, as well as the need for crisis intervention services, or hospitalization - expensive and invasive options. Untreated or under-treated mental illnesses disrupt the lives and relationships of individuals and families, sometimes beyond repair.

In 2002, NAMI-NYC Metro launched the Mental Health Benefits Project, focused on achieving parity in mental health benefits by advocating for the passage of a New York State law and through companies' voluntary adoption of such benefits. Since the passage of Timothy's Law, the project's mission has shifted to advancing good mental health management practices in the workplace, with a primary focus on issues of access and quality.

Currently the NAMI-NYC Metro Mental Health Benefits Project is concentrating on three key projects:

• New York City Depression Initiative: This year the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and the New York Business Group on Health (NYBGH) have both launched initiatives on depression to promote the use of the PHQ-9 as the standard depression screening tool for use within primary care settings.
   
• Timothy's Law: On December 22, 2006 Governor Pataki signed Timothy's Law into law. Timothy's Law was enacted on January 1, 2007 and made permanent in July 2009. NAMI-NYC Metro continues to advocate for the appropriate implementation of Timothy's Law as well as new legislation to expand the scope of the original law.
   
• Small Business Project: NAMI-NYC Metro staff has developed Mental Health Resource Guides designed for employers and employees of small businesses. Since 80 percent of New York City businesses are small businesses (employ fewer than 250 employees) these guides aim to help businesses maximize the resources they have in providing access to quality mental health services for their employees. For pdf files of our resource guides, click on the links below:

Small Business Mental Health Resource Guide for Employees, click here

Small Business Mental Health Resource Guide for Employers, click here

If you are having trouble accessing their mental health benefits, you may contact the New York State Insurance Department Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm at 1-800-342-3736, 212-480-6400, or 518-474-6600. For more information, visit the department's website.

Please call Executive Director Wendy Brennan or Director of Research & Advocacy  Vera Oziransky at 212.684.3365 with questions, suggestions or comments about NAMI-NYC Metro's Mental Health Benefits Project.

NAMI-NYC Metro gratefully acknowledges the New York Community Trust and the van Ameringen Foundation for their support of this project.