There has recently been much discussion about how you can tackle the serious mental disorders on our streets. I have always said that New Yorkers must be safe, but just as important, they must feel safe.
And although rare, we continue to experience unacceptable random attacks committed by people who need a lot of help.
We have made real progress by not only getting more people the lasting help they need, but also when changing the culture around the tools at our disposal, including involuntary obligations where necessary. In mine First year as mayor, I announced an important policy service for the city That has expanded our work to get people involuntary help.
At the time it was portrayed as controversial, but I don’t believe that is how common sense New Yorkers ever felt. Indeed, 90% of the respondents in a recent survey have supported the expansion of involuntary commitment.
Yet with a matter this is emotional, sure of misconceptions and disagreements. Here I am on the most common criticism.
First of all, some people say that the whole answer is to invest in a ‘continuum of care’, which supports patients at all levels during their journey to stability.
The needs cannot be denied, but this is a false choice.
We can repair our broken system and bring people in when they cannot recognize their own illness. Our administration has worked diligently from the first day to make these long -awaited investments. We have produced back-to-back record-breaking years of producing affordable homes with 2,761 total units that were produced in 2024 alone.
We have expanded access to clubhouses, which offer a safe space to build community and stability. We have added intensive mobile treatment teams that offer direct treatment and support to people wherever they are.
And, in combination with a historical investment of $ 650 million in tackling homelessness and serious psychological disorders, our “bridge home” facilities will give patients a supporting, home environment after they discharge from the hospital, so that we can break the cycle of leaving a hospital to leave a hospital to go back on the street.
Secondly, some say that involuntary treatment is inhuman. On the contrary. I believe it is the condolences and the right thing to do when a clinical professional thinks that the mental illness of a person is a threat to them or someone else.
There is nothing noble or respect for allowing a person to live with the disastrous consequences of ‘choices’ that they did not make with a clear spirit. Instead, we must help them to regain control of their lives. Transport to the hospital is only a first step on a long road of healing, but it is one that you simply cannot skip with someone in acute psychosis. Their most immediate need is medical care.
From there, great recovery is possible, with hard work, resources and patience. This is our mission with every person we take care of. The ultimate goal is reintegration of the community with permanent supporting homes. We do not always succeed, but we continue to learn and identify ways to improve.
A third frequent misconception is that a person must be a “threatening” danger to justify action.
The courts of New York have long acknowledged that these laws can also be used in situations in which untreated psychological disorders prevents a person from preventing their basic assistance needs over time and has a serious risk of damage over time.
Think of a person you have certainly seen in a metro station or park, who did not present a clear emergency situation, but clearly mentally unwell and in severe physical condition – swollen feet, clothing poorly torn, smelling of urine.
In the past, if our outreach teams were unable to convince that person to accept services, they would continue to someone else, believing that they couldn’t help it.
Nowadays our policy is to take care of that person, even if necessary to do this involuntarily. The results that we see every day confirm that this is the right way.
There is more to do. To end the confusion, it must be made explicit that a person needs care when psychological disorders prevents them from getting their basic needs, clothing, shelter or medical assistance.
We have included this in a package of reforms that we first proposed in 2022, and we are grateful that Governor Hochul is fighting for the current negotiations on the government budget.
This common reform-all in the books in 48 other States-Zal confirm the importance of the work that our administration has adopted.
To refuse someone psychiatric care just because they cannot recognize their own need for it, is unacceptable. It punishes a person for a symptom of the disease itself.
And that is unacceptable in a city with a heart as large as that of New York.
Eric Adams is the mayor of New York City.
