The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) announced several milestones in 2025 aimed at expanding access to behavioral health services across the state. The agency highlighted new investments, increased inpatient capacity, and expanded programs for youth and teens.
Under the FY 2026 Enacted Budget, OMH secured funding to support additional supportive services, including a statewide expansion of Youth and Teen Mental Health First Aid training, the creation of Youth Safe Spaces, and new consumer protections to ensure timely access to behavioral health care.
“From adding inpatient capacity to building new community-based supports, these budgets are helping to significantly expand access to critical mental health care services statewide,” said OMH Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan. “This work supports people during crises and ensures ongoing care as they return to their communities.”
Expanding Capacity
The state allocated $45.9 million for the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative, a 53% increase in funding for the program that has supported nearly 10,300 units since 2016. The ninth round of funding, awarded this fall, will provide services and operating expenses for up to 8,389 additional units for older adults, veterans, survivors of domestic violence, chronically homeless families, and individuals with mental illness or substance use disorders.
OMH also received $6.6 million to expand the “clubhouse” model, member-driven programs that provide social support, life skills training, and employment resources for individuals with serious mental health conditions. Proposals are being solicited for up to eight new programs outside New York City.
In 2025, OMH and the state Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) designated 13 new Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, tripling the number statewide to 39. These clinics provide walk-in, integrated mental health and substance use disorder services to an estimated 187,000 individuals annually.
The agencies also allocated $6 million to develop a health-led behavioral health crisis system in communities statewide, including teams staffed with trained professionals and peer support.
Inpatient and Forensic Services
Since Governor Kathy Hochul took office, New York has added 1,000 psychiatric beds, including 642 at Article 28 hospitals and 358 at state-operated psychiatric centers. OMH plans to add 75 beds at Creedmoor Psychiatric Center in Queens to expand the Transition to Home program for chronically homeless individuals living with mental illness.
The FY 2026 Budget also included $160 million to construct 100 new forensic inpatient psychiatric beds in New York City and $28.3 million to hire 300 new psychiatric workers to improve staff-to-patient ratios at state forensic hospitals.
Youth-Focused Initiatives
OMH expanded Mental Health First Aid training in high schools statewide to help young people and adults recognize and respond to mental health and substance use challenges. The agency also invested $7.5 million to establish four Youth Safe Spaces, with additional sites planned for next year.
Regulatory and Statutory Updates
Changes to network adequacy standards now require health insurance plans to provide access to an initial outpatient behavioral health appointment within 10 business days, or seven days following a hospital or ER discharge. Plans must also maintain accurate online provider directories.
New statutory changes allow homeless and runaway youth to consent to behavioral health treatment without a caregiver. Updates to the Mental Hygiene Law improve care coordination, discharge planning, and aftercare services for individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis.
The state also revised involuntary commitment laws to include individuals at substantial risk of physical harm due to their inability or unwillingness to meet essential needs because of mental illness, aligning New York with 43 other states.
These updates reflect ongoing efforts by OMH and the state to expand access, strengthen community-based supports, and ensure timely and effective mental health care across New York.
Have all the Finger Lakes news from Finger Lakes News Radio delivered to your email every morning for FREE! Sign up by clicking here
Get the top stories on your radio 24/7 on Finger Lakes News Radio 96.3 and 1590, WAUB and 106.3 and 1240, WGVA, and on Finger Lakes Country, 96.1/96.9/101.9/1570 WFLR.