• Investing in mental health programs – We secured another $33 million from New York state to strengthen and expand our mental health services. This adds to the $41 million we’ve already invested into restoring inpatient capacity, expanding outpatient access, increasing programming for special populations, developing our workforce, enhancing social work services, de-escalating violence, and working towards our goal of making New York City the best place to raise a family. 
• Supporting students’ mental health – This week, we opened our 16th public school mental health clinic! These free NYC Health + Hospitals-staffed clinics serve more than 6,000 students in the Bronx and Brooklyn and ensure that our youngest New Yorkers have what they need to thrive physically and emotionally. The clinics offer individual, family, and group therapy, and help avoid unnecessary emergency room visits and hospitalizations. 
• Caring for New Yorkers in our subways – Since launching our Partnership Assistance for Transit Homelessness program last August to connect unhoused New Yorkers with shelter, meals, medical assistance, and more, we’ve already made more than 11,000 engagements and delivered critical services thousands of times. This multi-agency initiative provides critical resources to those experiencing homelessness or with severe mental illness.

↳ Three things to know this week:

1. Our city offers many free resources to help improve your mental health, including no-cost mental health specialists, virtual therapy for teens, and supportive check-in calls for veterans. Here’s a round-up of the key free mental health services that New Yorkers should know about! 
2. NYC’s Department of Records and Information Services unveiled an exhibit on the history of reproductive rights in NYC. Through records, photographs, and artifacts dating back to 1828, it reminds us of the dangerous alternatives women had to turn to throughout history and all the progress our city has made as a proud beacon of light for all seeking care. It’s open through April 30 on weekdays at 31 Chambers Street in Room 103 between 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM. 
3. We may have just celebrated the 100th anniversary of “National Fire Prevention Week,” but fire safety requires us all to do our part every single day. Check out FDNY’s best practices to stay safe and prevent fires. They have great resources for New Yorkers of all ages to learn something new and be fire safe, including a podcast for kids!  

↳ FREE events this weekend:

...there’s an outdoor pet photograph projection extravaganza happening tomorrow in Brooklyn? Photoville and the Dumbo Projection Project will be projecting adorable pet portraits onto the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway Bridge and Manhattan Bridge Anchorage during a free night of dog-friendly fun at the DUMBO Archway! From 6:30PM – 8:30PM, on March 21, pet parents and dog lovers can come together and admire the projected portraits in the beautiful open-air, public space venue. There will also be free pup portraits for canine New Yorkers in attendance!

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