New York Governor Kathy Hochul has unveiled a $9.6 million investment aimed at ramping up mental health support in the state's rural stretches, her office announced. In a bid to tackle the ongoing mental health crisis that often hits areas with less access to care, the funds are set to establish four new Critical Time Intervention (CTI) teams and implement the Farmers Supporting Farmers program specifically designed to alleviate the burdens shouldered by those in the agricultural sector.
The bulk of the funds, $7.6 million over five years, will support the addition of the new CTI teams in Western New York and the North Country, according to the announcement. These teams are intended to aid individuals grappling with mental health challenges during critical times of transition, like returning to the community after hospitalization. "We have an obligation to bring mental health assistance to New York’s farmers, and the rural areas of our state where these supports aren’t always readily available," Hochul said, highlighting the initiative's aim at bolstering care in underserved areas.
Another $2 million has been earmarked for the Farmers Supporting Farmers program. Its mission: To provide both technical and wellness support to those in the agricultural sector, a group known for facing unique stressors such as unpredictable weather and fluctuating market prices, details cited from the state's official announcement show. This targeted approach emerges from the well-established link between economic hardships and heightened risks of mental health issues among farm workers and their kin
Approximately 20 percent of rural New Yorkers over 55 grapple with mental health concerns, data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services indicates. OMH Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said, "Our effort to strengthen New York State’s mental health care system includes bringing services to traditionally underserved areas, which include many of our rural communities," in a statement suggesting these programs could bridge a key healthcare divide.
Last year's steps include the creation of a rural behavioral health coordinator, intended to harness and harmonize local, state, and federal resources to suit the distinctive needs of rural communities. They also set up a rural Assertive Community Treatment team, now operating to deliver essential mental healthcare in the community instead of more restrictive hospital settings. Moreover, Gov. Hochul has prompted the Suicide Prevention Task Force to renew its focus with special attention on rural populations and cultural competency in crafting a robust suicide prevention strategy for New York.
