grantee spotlight
Combating the Mental Health Crisis Across New York State
Three Organizations Across NYS Making a Change at This Critical Moment
Levels of youth depression and anxiety are reaching record breaking levels across the United States. In New York City alone, 20% of children ages 3 to 13 were reported to have symptoms of one or more mental, emotional, developmental or behavioral problems. Mental health concerns are not limited to young people; in New York, rates of adult depression increased during the pandemic and remain high. Across all age groups and backgrounds, healthcare providers warn that increased access to care is urgently needed to combat the mental health crisis.
During Mental Health Awareness Month, the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation is proud to highlight grantee organizations working diligently to serve New Yorkers’ diverse mental health needs. Their advocacy helps those suffering from mental health disorders gain the compassionate care and resources they need, while also combating stigma around mental health issues.
Based in Lower Manhattan, the Chinese-American Planning Council (CAPC) is one of the largest non-profit providers of educational, social and community services for Asian-Americans in the United States. CAPC, with the support of the Foundation, is expanding mental health services for Asian American and Pacific Islander older adults in Brooklyn. The planning council offers culturally competent, bilingual mental health services for older immigrants who are prone to struggle with loneliness and psychological distress. CAPC plans to increase engagement and outreach to Brooklyn’s older AAPI population by providing mental health screenings and referrals.
Another grantee, Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC), is Staten Island’s leading provider of behavioral health services for children, adolescents and adults. RUMC offers a range of vital behavioral health services, including treatment at the Staten Island Children’s Trauma Program which provides evidence-based trauma assistance and treatment to 1,000 children and youth who experienced adverse life events. The organization also administers treatment in six school-based programs, structured inpatient treatment programs and outpatient clinics. Additionally, the Trauma Program provides community partners with training on trauma treatment and screening tools to better care for youth and families.
In Buffalo, Mental Health Advocates of Western New York provides family and youth peer services, emotional skills training in schools and pro bono legal services to residents with mental health concerns. MHA also helps individuals and families navigate the mental health system. Through these interventions, the organization increases awareness of mental health and wellness for people of all ages across Western New York. With a grant from the Foundation, the organization will expand the Youth Peer Advocate program. Youth Peer Advocates provide presentations to schools, skill-building and support groups, and provide 1:1 mentoring for students. With this support, knowing that our youth are experiencing mental health issues at unprecedented levels, the Youth Peer Advocate will be able to reach more students in more schools by providing critical services.
These grantees provide life-saving care to people of all ages and backgrounds in communities across New York State. We are proud to partner with, and support, organizations working to improve the health and wellbeing of New Yorkers at this critical moment in time.
To learn more about these organizations, please visit their websites: