This week on In Focus, State Assemblymember Paula Kay emphasizes the importance of addressing mental health issues.
Kay highlights both small and comprehensive approaches, particularly in her district. She discusses legislation to provide mental health counseling to correctional staff, which is delayed due to the ongoing budget process but has bipartisan support. Kay also introduced a bill to exempt current sworn police officers from automatic mental health reporting to reduce stigma and encourage seeking help. She mentions the success of the Peer to Peer Act for law enforcement and similar legislation for firefighters and EMS workers. Kay also passed a bill requiring the New York State Bridge Authority to install climb deterrent fencing to prevent suicides, citing its effectiveness on the new Tappan Zee Bridge.
You can watch the full interview above. And be sure to tune in for a look inside the biggest issues impacting upstate New York, on In Focus with JoDee Kenney — every Sunday on Spectrum News 1.