Centralized Mental Health Services for Youth and Young Adults
Centralized Mental Health Services for Youth and Young Adults
Implementation Partner: Department of Youth & Community Development (DYCD)
The Centralized Mental Health Services for Youth and Young Adults Program consists of eight mental health “hubs” located in all five boroughs and situated in DYCD’s Runaway and Homeless Youth drop-in centers. RHY drop-in centers offer a variety of services to youth who run away, are experiencing homelessness, or are otherwise at risk and vulnerable. Each hub is equipped with experienced behavioral health professionals who are certified and trained to administer screenings and facilitate group and individual therapy to youth. The program provides much needed mental health services to youth who deal with traumatic circumstances and uncertainty or may otherwise benefit from behavioral health support, and provides for a continuum of care at a centralized location. RHY drop-in centers and transitional living facilities can refer youth to the hubs for services.
8
hubs at all DYCD drop-in centers for youth now offer mental health services. The numbers of youth receiving services will be reported once this new program is fully operational.
Youth
experiencing homelessness in NYC are disproportionately youth of color (95%); gay, lesbian, bisexual, or queer/questioning (42%); and transgender/gender non-binary (8%). Source.
Mental health
disorders including depression, PTSD, and suicidal ideation are considerably more prevalent in youth experiencing homelessness than adolescents from the general population. Source.