Statement from First Lady Chirlane McCray on Hillary Clinton's Comprehensive Mental Health Policy Agenda

August 29, 2016

“Today, Hillary Clinton released a comprehensive mental health policy agenda, which reflects many of the principles in ThriveNYC, the City’s own plan to prevent and treat mental illness and substance misuse.

“I am encouraged and deeply appreciative that a presidential candidate is taking the public health crisis of untreated mental illness and substance misuse so seriously. Clinton’s policy agenda lays out an evidence-based policy approach that, like ThriveNYC, expands the availability of mental health services in primary care settings; invests in early intervention and prevention; and gives our police officers the training and tools they need to intervene in crisis situations and help people get to treatment and not jail. The Clinton agenda supports many of the initiatives that are integral to ThriveNYC, which would benefit New Yorkers by allowing the City to provide more, much-needed mental health resources.

“It is unprecedented for mental health to be given this kind of attention and on this scale, but to truly improve the mental health of our citizens and reduce substance dependency in this country also requires funding. I urge Congress to take the recommendations in Clinton’s policy agenda and ThriveNYC seriously and fund comprehensive mental health treatment.”