If you are in acute mental health-related distress or need someone to talk to, call 988. You are not alone.
According to a 2024 study by New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, about one in four New York City adults experience a mental health disorder in a given year, with a high number of children and teenagers also being affected by depression, anxiety, and other mental health diagnoses. Another bleak, but sadly expected piece of data: marginalized communities are the most vulnerable to serious psychological distress. The Office of the Public Advocate addressed this specific issue during Minority Mental Health Month, and you can find a list of culturally competent resources here.
Fear of stigmatization and prohibitive costs might make individuals not seek the assistance they need. The more openly we talk about such issues, the more we reduce the stigma and push public policies that prioritize easy, broad, compassionate, confidential, and affordable (if not free) mental health care access for all. And while access to this assistance in our city is still far from ideal, there are resources available for those in distress or seeking to proactively care for their mental health through therapy. Remember: mental health struggles are very real and seeking professional help is not a sign of weakness.
National Assistance Directories
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
- U.S. Centers of Disease Control and and Prevention (CDC)
- National Alliance of Mental Health Illness (NAMI)
- Mental Health America (MHA)
- findtreatment.gov
- National Alliance on Mental Illness New York City Metro
Local Assistance Directories
- Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) Mental Health Directory
- New York City Mental Health Guides in Multiple Languages
- NYC Health + Hospitals Mental Health Services
- Clubhouses for People Who Have Serious Mental Health Conditions
- NYC Health Peer Services
Services for Immigrants
- Weill Cornell Medicine Free and Low-Cost Mental Health Directory
- U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) Refugee Health Services
- Informed Immigrant Mental Health Resource Library
Children and Teens
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Emergency and Crisis Services
- New York State Office of Mental Health Information for Children, Teens, and Their Families
- New York City Children's Center (NYCCC)
- The New York Foundling Health & Behavioral Health
- The Child Center of NY
LBTQIA+ Resources
- The Trevor Project
- National Queer & Trans Therapists of Color Network
- Human Rights Campaign Mental Health Resources in the LGBTQ+ Community
- Stress & Trauma Toolkit for Treating LGBTQ in a Changing Political and Social Environment
Older adults
- National Council on Aging
- Geriatric Mental Health Initiative
- Or call Aging Connect at 212-AGING-NYC (212-244-6469).
- New York State Geriatric Resources
- Older Veteran Behavioral Health Resource Inventory
The resources listed above are not exhaustive and we encourage our constituents to carefully consider the approach that best suits their needs. Along with professional care, finding community can also be a great first step to help us get through hard times. One sentence stands out in the 2024 NYC Health study included above: “Less than half of New Yorkers said they had someone they could count on for frequent emotional support.” Let’s take care of each other.
Image Credit: Jeffrey Severe, CCIT-NYC Peers Not Police Rally
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