Mayor Zohran Mamdani's ambitious plan to revolutionize mental health emergency response in New York City is a bold move, but it's not without its challenges and critics. At the heart of this initiative is the Behavioral Health Emergency Response Division, or B-HEARD, a program that has been plagued by issues since its inception under the de Blasio administration.
B-HEARD aims to send mental health professionals and EMTs to certain mental health emergencies, diverting these calls away from the police. However, a recent audit revealed that over a third of eligible mental health calls did not receive a B-HEARD team response, with the city resorting to sending police instead. This raises concerns about the program's effectiveness and its ability to handle the volume of calls it receives.
Mamdani has made B-HEARD a cornerstone of his Office of Community Safety, which seeks to eliminate police involvement in certain mental health emergencies. But experts warn that scaling up B-HEARD won't be a simple task. Brian Stettin, who advised former Mayor Eric Adams on mental health issues, believes Mamdani will face the same struggles as his predecessors in expanding the program.
One of the key challenges is the union rules governing the FDNY's EMTs, which require two EMTs to be dispatched to every call. This restriction, coupled with a long-standing staff shortage, has complicated B-HEARD operations. By revoking Adams' order to have B-HEARD fully operated by the Health and Hospitals system, Mamdani's administration aims to address this issue and improve response times.
Dr. Gary Belkin, who oversaw de Blasio's mental health initiative Thrive, highlights the potential for headline-grabbing crimes to derail efforts to boost mental health training and open care facilities. He warns of a recurring pattern where crises become the focal point, overshadowing the progress made in mental health initiatives.
Supporters of B-HEARD argue that the solution lies in increased funding, which may be a challenge given the city's significant budget gap. Mamdani's Office of Community Safety starts with a modest budget and a small team, a far cry from the $1.1 billion plan he proposed during his campaign. Elle Bisgaard-Church, Mamdani's Chief of Staff, emphasizes the administration's commitment to making "historic changes" and consulting with experts across the country to address the root causes of mental health crises.
Elizabeth Glazer, who led the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice under de Blasio, underscores the importance of addressing mental illness before and after a crisis. She believes that operating solely in crisis response mode will not solve the problem, and that the focus should be on providing services and support to those in need.
Under de Blasio, the city introduced support and connection centers, 24-hour facilities where B-HEARD workers could bring individuals experiencing mental health emergencies. However, the implementation of these centers has been slow, with only two centers opened so far. This highlights the need for a comprehensive and well-funded approach to mental health services.
Scott Stringer, a former city comptroller and political adversary, draws comparisons between Mamdani's Office of Community Safety and de Blasio's controversial Thrive initiative. He suggests that Mamdani's plan feels like a reprise of Thrive, which faced criticism for its lack of transparency and unclear goals. Bisgaard-Church acknowledges the need for improved metrics and transparency to address these concerns.
As Mamdani's administration embarks on this ambitious journey, it faces a delicate balance between addressing the immediate needs of mental health emergencies and building a sustainable, well-funded system that provides long-term support and care. The success of this initiative will depend on the administration's ability to learn from past mistakes, adapt to challenges, and implement effective solutions. The road ahead is challenging, but with a committed team and a comprehensive approach, there is hope for a brighter future for mental health services in New York City.
