(Tuesday, October 22, 2019) – NAMI-NYC Executive Director Matt Kudish responds to Mayor de Blasio’s 10/21 mental health crises funding announcement:

“NAMI-NYC commends the Mayor’s Office for furthering the conversation about how NYC responds to mental health crises. Although this report contains some positive recommendations on how to improve our city’s broken response to mental health crises, ultimately we must go further and create a citywide crisis response system that recognizes mental health emergencies are public health concerns, not criminal justice issues. NAMI-NYC strongly believes that sending mental health professionals, trained peers, and other non-police personnel to respond to mental health crises is the safest and most effective way to make sure people receive the help they need.”