NYC Mental Health Programs for Residents

These vital resources are available to New York residents, to you, your friends, and your neighbors.

For years, the importance of mental health has been underrepresented in our communities. But why shouldn’t our mind be as important as our body? Many people struggle with stigma to have a mental disorder and suffer in silence. While attitudes around mental health are changing, we still have a long way to go to raise awareness and make access to treatment easily accessible.

Stopped

While anyone can tell that something like an eating disorder is a behavioral/habit choice, sometimes the disturbances in eating, behavior, and emotions that come with it can be overwhelming. I dealt with bulimia for eight years and couldn’t stop (no matter how badly I wanted to), even once pregnant. The anxiety that accompanied it seemed overwhelming. I couldn’t reveal my secret to anyone and I always promised myself never to do it again. Even after having a miscarriage, I couldn’t stop. The truth is that it is almost impossible to “stop” on your own. Any disorder requires the support of a community, family, friends and qualified doctors.

What is a mental health disorder

Mental disorders affect your behavior, your feelings, your mood, the way you think, and even your physical health. A mental illness can impact any part of your life, including relationships, daily functions/habits, career success, outlook on life, and values.

Symptoms

Symptoms range from mild to severe. They understand

• Excessive fear/worry
• Sadness
• Personality changes
• Changed sleeping habits
• Overeating/Sudden Overeating
• Mood swings
• Irritability/anger
• Frustration
• Fatigue
• Lack of concentration
• to feel worthless
• Guilt/shame
• Avoid favorite activities/people/family
• Thinking/attempting suicide

People considering suicide should call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately. Additionally, help is available through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273 – TALK (1-800-273-8255 or text 838255).

causes

The disease can come on suddenly or gradually. Factors that contribute to a possible risk include

• genes/family history,
• trauma or brain injury,
• biological/chemical imbalances,
• life experience,
• stress (especially if experienced in childhood),
• drug or alcohol use,
• other medical conditions,
• unhealthy habits and
• dysfunctional social life.

Over 50% of all Americans are diagnosed with a mental imbalance/disorder in their lifetime. Recovery can be complex and has nothing to do with will, character or lack of motivation.

Diagnostic

It is imperative to work with your team of doctors and provide a complete medical history. Your doctor may order a physical exam and lab tests to rule out or identify any underlying medical conditions. In addition, your mental health provider will perform a mental health assessment and ask you questions about your mood, behaviors, feelings, and other symptoms.

What is a mental health disorder?

Mental Health Support for New Yorkers

Mental health support in New York includes government subsidized treatment for eating disorders, alcohol/drug recovery, behavior modification, trauma recovery, reintegration into society, career/employment support and support for family members. Here is a list of processing facilities.

NYC good

NYC good provides free, confidential crisis counseling and addiction and mental health support. The toll-free hotline is 1888 NYC-WELL (or 1-888-692-9355, text 651–73). NYC counselors are available 24/7. Help is available in Spanish, Cantonese, English and Mandarin (plus additional translation services and over 200 languages). Services include short term counselling, peer support, suicide prevention, crisis intervention and referral.

Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation

This non-profit treatment provider helps people and their families with alcohol and drug addiction. Since 1949, the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation has been located at 322 8th Avenue.

Bridge

Bridge offers comprehensive recovery programs with mental health treatment, addictions, job training/education, educational therapy, and housing. The target population is people with mental illnesses, drug or alcohol use disorders and the homeless. The bridge is located at 248 West 108th Street.

Lafayette Medical Approach LLC

The Lafayette Medical Approach is a rehabilitation clinic specializing in methadone treatment for opioid overdose. The address of the establishment is 233, rue Lafayette.

HHRC Health Inc.

HHRC supports people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, and people with autistic disorders. 8HRC is located at 83 Maiden Lane.

Addiction Rehabilitation Center

This facility supports people in a recovery program suffering from substance abuse. Their service includes counselling, housing, job/vocational training, legal services and family services. The address of the drug rehabilitation center is 2015 Madison Avenue.

St. Mark’s Institute for Mental Health

St. Mark’s Institute offers addiction, primary care psychotherapy and counseling services. Saint Marc is located at 57 Place Saint Marc.

New York Center for Addiction Treatment Services (RevCore)

RevCore Recovery Center provides outpatient addiction treatment services such as drug/alcohol detox, group/individual counseling, family counseling, anger management, and relapse prevention. The facility is located at 598 Broadway Avenue.

Care Counseling Center LLC (Outpatient)

The Care Counseling Center helps individuals, couples and families with mental health issues, behavioral issues, criminal justice, substance abuse, anger/stress management, parenting skills and HIV counseling /AIDS. Additionally, counselors promote development, recovery, growth, health, education, socialization, motivation, treatment of personality disorders, and healing from abuse. The center’s address is 214 West 116th Street.

West Midtown Medical Group (Outpatient 1)

West Midtown Medical Group improves the quality of life for patients by providing comprehensive medical treatment for addictions. This medical center offers methadone and buprenorphine therapy for opiate addiction and comprehensive treatment for alcohol, drugs, cocaine, prescriptions, and other substances. The medical group is located at 505 8th Avenue.

Emma L Bowen Community Service Center (main office)

The center employs culturally sensitive health professionals, psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, alcohol and drug counselors, case managers, social workers, rehabilitation counselors and early childhood teachers. The staff is fluent in English, Spanish and French. The center treats mental health issues and prioritizes reintegration into the community. The center address is 1727 Amsterdam Avenue.

Greenhope services for women

Greenhope offers residential, day and outpatient services – the center advocates for the specific needs of women in prison. Additionally, Greenhope focuses on alcohol and drug addiction recovery, mental health, and community reintegration. They are located in East Harlem at 435 East 119th Street.

Comprehensive Care Centers for Eating Disorders

Care centers are located at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York Psychiatric Center, Schneider Children’s Hospital of Long Island, and Jewish Medical Center. For more information and immediate help, you can call the 24-hour helpline at 1-877-696-2332.

From: Maria Raczka