Citing Increased Demand After Sept. 11, Advocates Urge Governor to Increase Funding For New York’s Mental Health System

Advocates on Jan. 2 asked New York Gov. George Pataki (R) to boost funding for the state's mental health system, warning that agencies "that provide counseling and other services to a growing number of people statewide" face a potential "breakdown," the Albany Times Union reports. Before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the system was "already stretched thin" due to steady decreases in state funding -- including a $40 million reduction last year, according to Harvey Rosenthal, executive director of the New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services -- as well as staffing shortages and a turnover rate among mental health employees ranging between 37% and 54%. The increased demand following the attacks has placed the system near its "breaking point," according to advocates. However, Pataki has "repeatedly warned" of budget cuts in his next spending plan, as the state faces a declining economy and a potential $9 billion budget deficit over the next two years, the Times Union reports. While the state Office of Mental Health has received approximately $26 million in federal funds to cover the increased demand after Sept. 11, the money is "earmarked for specific programs and agencies" and cannot be used to bolster the current system. Mental health advocates, who asked Pataki to address the "crisis" in his State of the State address and budget proposal on Jan. 9, would like the governor to reprise some of the proposals he made last year but were not adopted by the state Legislature, including plans to give not-for-profit community mental health workers a 2.5% cost-of-living pay increase for three years and to implement a 10% reimbursement increase for Medicaid mental health outpatient services. State Budget Division spokesperson Kevin Quinn said that Pataki "will continue to be a strong ally and advocate for New Yorkers with mental illness while keeping in mind the fiscal challenges the state faces" (Benjamin, Albany Times Union, 1/3).