In the wake of a devastating mass shooting that unfolded in Midtown Manhattan, Mayor Eric Adams is reaching out to New Yorkers, emphasizing the array of support services the city has to offer. In a solemn reminder for residents grappling with the traumatic event, Adams has urged those affected to utilize the help available, including NYC 988, a free and confidential mental health support system. The NYC Mayor's Office announced this suite of resources in response to the shooting on Monday, that claimed the lives of four individuals and injured another.
"This week, we witnessed horrific violence right in the heart of our city, when a man brutally killed four innocent New Yorkers and injured another in one of the deadliest mass shootings in the last quarter of a century," Mayor Adams stated, highlighting the tragic losses of NYPD Officer Didarul Islam, Wesley LePatner, Aland Etienne, and Julia Hyman. The Adams administration stands firm on its commitment to public safety and addresses the city's bereavement, stressing ongoing vigilance and providing closure for the families affected by the violence, as reported by the NYC Mayor's Office.
New Yorkers in need of immediate mental health assistance can dial 988 at any hour to connect with a counselor. The service offers support through phone, text, or chat and can field calls in over 200 languages. For more acute crises, individuals can request a Mobile Crisis Team—comprising mental health clinicians and peer specialists—by also calling 988.
Alongside mental health crisis interventions, additional resources are accessible through various city offices and community partnerships. The Mayor's Office of Community Mental Health provides guides and toolkits; NYC Health + Hospitals offers comprehensive mental health services; and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration extends a helpline for those struggling with trauma. Further support can be garnered through Everytown Survivor Network's peer support, a Virtual Resiliency Center, and NYC.gov's coping resources, which cover a range of needs from child communication to grief management.
To help keep residents informed and prepared, the city is directing New Yorkers to the FBI's active shooter advice video, which outlines the steps "Run. Hide. Fight." The city is focusing on both supporting emotional recovery and promoting awareness of emergency protocols, as per the NYC Mayor's Office.
