April 3, 2017
We Must Advocate For Older Adults With Behavioral Health Conditions
By Kimberly Williams, MSSW, Lisa Furst, LMSW, MPH, and Michael Friedman, LMSW As of this writing, the healthcare and behavioral health systems are facing unprecedented threats from proposed legislation to significantly roll back the gains achieved through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Medicaid is also under threat, as the current legislative proposal attempts to alter… View Article
January 24, 2017
Transgender and Finding Her Voice
Last week, I was reminded that being open-minded and understanding the depths of another person’s life experience are two very different things. For all the talk about transgender issues in the news today, how many of us have had the opportunity to talk with an individual about his or her experience—not in the political sense—but… View Article
January 19, 2017
Inauguration Weekend, Support is Available 24/7
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline experienced a significant, but short term increase in call volume the day before and after the election this past November. On Monday, November 7, 2016, there was a 15% increase in Lifeline calls, and a 51% increase on the Spanish Lifeline number. There were two “spikes”—or surges—in call volume on… View Article
January 10, 2017
A statement regarding the NY Times article, “The Hidden Gun Epidemic: Suicides”, from Dr. John Draper
Keeping homes and families safer when our loved ones are in despair is not just a job for gun shop owners; it is a responsibility that we all must bear. This NY Times article underscores how important it is to inform gun owners and users about the risks of firearms in homes where a loved… View Article
January 6, 2017
Governor Cuomo Signs New York Step Therapy Bill
Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a bill Saturday changing the rules surrounding step therapy, a process by which insurers can require that certain drugs be tried first before approving a physician’s prescription. The bill, which passed unanimously in the State Senate and Assembly, does not ban the use of step therapy but does provide rules governing… View Article
December 13, 2016
Letter from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Director
We wanted to take a moment to address the historic passage of the 21st Century Cures/Mental Health Reform Omnibus that was recently enacted and to highlight its relevance to the field of suicide prevention and crisis centers. The act is a result of years of bipartisan efforts and represents a recognition of a variety of health, mental… View Article
December 13, 2016
21st Century Cures Act Resources
In light of the historic passage of the 21st Century Cures/Mental Health Reform Omnibus today, we put together some resources to help you understand what it may mean for you. Letter from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Director – MHA-NYC MHA-NYC’s EVP of Integrated Policy and Program Services, Kim Williams, discusses the 21st Century Cures Act with EVP of Marketing… View Article
December 12, 2016
#OrlandoStrong: Six Months After Pulse, We’re Still Here
Christian Burgess, Director of the Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH), a program administered by MHA-NYC for the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), reflects on the Orlando Pulse Nightclub tragedy six months later. On June 12, 2016, 49 people were shot and killed and 53 others injured at the Pulse LGBT Nightclub in Orlando,… View Article
December 12, 2016
#WriteOnSarah: A Holiday Transformation
Brown paper covered the door to what was once my dermatologists’ office. Ever since the practice moved to a new location several blocks away, the second-story office sat dormant. No light. No visitors. No indication of who or what would move in next. I had a steady awareness of what was, or what was not,… View Article