NYC’s plan to tackle mental illness among its homeless
Image: Luiz Rampelotto/Zuma Press
New York City will begin hospitalizing homeless people who appear to be mentally ill and pose a serious risk to themselves or others, Mayor Eric Adams announced this week. Per Adams, the effort is meant to address a “mental health crisis” among NYC’s homeless population.
🗽🏥 More details… NYC emergency workers were already able to involuntarily hospitalize mentally ill individuals who pose a danger to others. This new directive expands that policy to include mentally ill people whose inability to meet their own basic human needs means they’re a danger to themselves.
- An estimated 3,400 New Yorkers were homeless and sleeping outside of shelters as of this past January. Studies have shown a large majority of that population struggles with mental illness or other severe health problems.
- Mayor Adams called on NYC officials from the police, fire, and health departments to remove such individuals from the streets and subways, then bring them to hospitals for extended care.
✋ Yes, but… Some lawmakers and civil rights groups have voiced concerns over the yet-to-be-defined process by which NYC officials will decide whether a homeless individual is mentally ill and poses a danger to themselves. A spokesperson for Mayor Adams’ office said the determinations would be made “case by case,” but didn’t offer further details.
📸 Big picture: NYC’s move brings it in-line with nearly all US states, who individually have laws in place recognizing that a person’s failure to meet their basic needs due to mental illness is a basis for intervention.
About 30% of the 100,000+ people in America who are chronically homeless also have mental health conditions, per the latest federal data.
📊 Flash poll: Do you agree with NYC Mayor Adams’ new directive to address mental health among the city’s homeless population? (Click a link below to record your vote + see a follow-up question.)
See 360° view of what the media is saying →
Sprinkles from the Left
- Some commentators argue that the homeless problems in NYC (and America) ​​must be tackled head-on with more housing, more hospital beds, higher reimbursement rates for mental health care, and policy changes aimed at accountability.
- Others contend that there are currently too many uneducated workers in America, as evidenced by the current lack of available applicants for positions requiring a college degree.
- “More housing, greater accountability would ease city's mental health crisis” –Crain’s New York Business Editorial Board
- “Outrage and fear about homelessness never seem to lead to the obvious choice” –Deborah Padgett, CNN
- “Homeless families need mental health care, too” –Christine Quinn and Erik Bottcher, NY Daily News
Sprinkles from the Right
- Some commentators argue that NYC Mayor Adams’ plan to allow emergency officials to involuntarily treat mentally ill homeless people is a step in the right direction towards providing the care and treatment those individuals are owed by society.
- Others contend that a good way to address the twin issues of crime and homelessness is to provide comprehensive mental health care to those who need it – especially people who require longer-term residential care with trained physicians.
- “NYC can be a pioneer in the treatment of the seriously mentally ill” –Stephen Eide and Carolyn Gorman, NY Post
- “Republicans Could Lead on Mental Health Treatment” –Bruce Chapman, WSJ
- “New York City decides to protect residents from mentally troubled homeless people” –Zachary Faria, Washington Examiner
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