New York State is launching a statewide effort to attract more workers to the mental health field, addressing workforce shortages and connecting job seekers with career opportunities.
The State Office of Mental Health (OMH) announced Monday a survey to gather feedback from mental health providers and professionals. The survey will help design a new website highlighting careers, programs, and workplaces across New York’s public mental health system.
“Our continued efforts to strengthen New York’s mental health care system depend on having a robust, skilled workforce at the ready,” OMH Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said. “The website we are developing will offer an exciting presentation of careers in this field and a pathway for job seekers to connect with employers in communities throughout our state.”
The 10-minute survey is intended to identify what information providers find most useful. The website will feature clear pathways to licensed and unlicensed careers, videos and stories from professionals, and searchable job listings by county and profession. OMH will host a webinar at 1 p.m. Feb. 12 to outline the website project and answer questions.
The project is part of a $2.5 million multi-year initiative to promote mental health careers statewide. OMH is also offering up to $5 million in student loan repayment for licensed clinicians through its Community Mental Health Loan Repayment program. Psychiatrists can receive up to $120,000, while other licensed professionals can receive up to $30,000, provided they remain employed with a licensed community mental health program for three years. To date, about 1,405 professionals have received roughly $45 million in repayment.
In addition to the website and loan repayment programs, the state is expanding partnerships with SUNY and CUNY campuses to increase workforce diversity. These efforts include tuition assistance, paid internships, and stipends for underrepresented and multilingual students pursuing mental health degrees.
Governor Kathy Hochul has also secured targeted budget increases for community mental health providers, including a 2.6 percent increase in FY 2026, following previous increases of 2.8 percent in FY 2025 and 5.4 percent in FY 2024.
The website is expected to launch next year and aims to serve high school and college students, as well as individuals interested in entering New York’s mental health workforce.