Report from New York Comptroller’s Office sheds light on the state’s battle on mental health

ALBANY, NY- The number of New Yorkers needing mental health services is increasing, while psychiatric bed availability is decreasing.

This latest development is according to a report filed via the State Comptroller’s Office of Thomas DiNapoli.

“Increased mental health services are urgently needed to meet the rising demand for care,” DiNapoli said.

“With the COVID pandemic behind us, New York must redouble its efforts to restore inpatient psychiatric bed capacity and preserve and expand tele-health services.”

According to the report, mental health needs of New Yorkers have greatly increased, with 21.1% of adults struggling with mental Illness and 5.1% with a severe mental illness in 2021-2022, according to federal data.

Between 2013 and 2022, there was a 23% increase in the number of individuals served by the state’s public mental health system, with nearly 900,000 residents utilizing the services.

New York State Office of Mental Health image.