CITYWIDE — NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS HAS EXPANDED ITS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVE, which increases access to evidence-based mental health services for families residing in the city’s domestic violence shelters. Announced in May 2023, the initiative began at nine domestic violence shelters and is now available at 41 domestic violence shelters.
Residents of the participating shelters can see a mental health specialist within one week, compared to previously waiting six months to one year for an appointment. Upon their arrivals at the 41 participating shelters, residents are informed of available mental health services and may choose to undergo a screening for services. In some cases, they have access to on-site services the same day of their arrival. Weekend and night coverage are provided through the health system’s Virtual ExpressCare service.
Since its launch in 2023, the program has provided over 5,600 behavioral health appointments and served over 700 patients at the city’s domestic violence shelters. Counseling, therapy and medication management are provided at no cost to the residents.
✰✰✰
