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City Wants New Yorkers to Know: 'We're Here' for Your Mental Health

The health department's new 'We're Here' campaign aims to inform New Yorkers about the free mental health support available to them Photo credit: Charters Towers In an effort to change the conversation around mental health -- and to keep it going --

The health department's new 'We're Here' campaign aims to inform New Yorkers about the free mental health support available to them

Health department is launching a new awareness campaign
Photo credit: Charters Towers

In an effort to change the conversation around mental health -- and to keep it going -- the health department announced today its new "We're Here" campaign which encourages New Yorkers to contact NYC Well for mental health support. The campaign will run through the end of June on the subway, in newspapers, on TV and on social media, as well as in neighborhood bodegas, nail and hair salons, barber shops, laundromats and check-cashing facilities.

"NYC Well is here for all New Yorkers who need help getting services for mental illness or addiction — for themselves, a family member, friend or neighbor. Absolutely no one is turned away," said NYC First Lady Chirlane McCray, who leads the city's mental health and substance misuse efforts. "With this new campaign, we hope to reach as many New Yorkers as possible with the all-important message that we are here for you. Help is only a call, text or chat away, and reaching out is the first step to wellness."

Launched in October 2016, NYC Well, through counselors and peer support specialists, provides free crisis counseling and information and referral to ongoing services, regardless of immigration status or insurance coverage.

As of April 30, NYC Well handled more than 340,000 calls, texts, chats and online mobile crisis referrals. According to the health department, 12 percent of New Yorkers requesting help were identified as crisis situations; 46 percent were seeking immediate support, and 41 percent needed information or a referral for behavioral health services. Approximately 49 percent of contacts to NYC Well reported seeking help for themselves; 5 percent reported seeking help for a friend or family member, and 6 percent reported being providers on behalf of clients.

"NYC Well counselors are ready to provide support for any mental health concern, including a crisis," said Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett. "Effective treatment is available for mental health and substance use concerns, and we're here to help."

Individuals seeking support for mental health conditions or substance use for themselves or their loved ones can contact NYC Well by calling 1-888-NYC-WELL, texting "WELL" to 65173 or going to nyc.gov/nycwell




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