New York State is working to implement improved youth mental health systems.
Since the pandemic, the state has done studies and roundtables to determine what young people need from state mental health systems. Reports show New York’s existing youth mental health services do not adequately address early intervention for kids’ behavioral health.
Valerie Weisler, professor of childhood and youth studies at Brooklyn College, said youth input on these systems is essential.
“We are putting funding, time, and labor into place on a decision that is essentially, solely riding on assumption without the contributions of the people with the lived experience that are going to be served by this effort,” Weisler explained.
The state’s proposed 2027 budget builds on multiyear, billion-dollar funding for youth mental health systems and allocates new dollars to other programs affecting mental health. However, some noted it does not fill the gaps left by federal cuts. Weisler pointed out the state’s failure to raise new revenues leaves the systems without enough dollars to be effective.
Aside from state investment, some experts feel expanding Medicaid can help address youth mental health. New York State is overhauling its Medicaid mental health services for children as part of a lawsuit settlement.
Nathaan Demers, a clinical psychologist and principal investor with Hopelab, said despite Medicaid moving slowly, it is a vital resource to ensure systems come to fruition.
“We do want to see modalities that think outside the box, that sort of push the limits, getting into the hands of young people,” Demers urged. “Because the way that young people accessed mental health care five, never mind 10 years ago, is very different than it is today.”
A Healthy Minds, Healthy Kids study found one in four New York children covered by Medicaid do not receive the mental health care they need. Demers stressed early prevention is key since data show greater numbers of young people are suffering from a diagnosable mental health condition.
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Edwin is a reporter and producer in North Tonawanda, New York. He’s previously reported for the Niagara Gazette and the Ithaca Times. Edwin got an early start in radio interning for WBFO-88.7FM, NPR’s Buffalo affiliate. In 2018, he graduated from SUNY Buffalo State College with a B.A. in Journalism, and in 2022, graduated from Syracuse University with an M.S. in Communications.