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. The key to his vision lies in fixing a troubled program from the de Blasio era, known as B-HEARD, which has struggled to live up to its initial promise.
The B-HEARD Initiative
B-HEARD, or the Behavioral Health Emergency Response Division, was designed to send mental health professionals and EMTs to certain mental health emergencies, diverting these calls away from the police. However, despite an increase in 911 calls being rerouted, B-HEARD teams failed to respond to a significant portion of eligible calls, with over a third going unanswered. This raises concerns about the program's effectiveness and its ability to handle the city's mental health crises.
Scaling Up B-HEARD
Mamdani has placed B-HEARD at the heart of his Office of Community Safety, aiming to eliminate police involvement in certain mental health emergencies. However, experts warn that expanding B-HEARD won't be an easy task. Brian Stettin, who advised former Mayor Eric Adams on mental health issues, believes Mamdani will face the same challenges they did, primarily due to staffing and operational restrictions.
The decision to revoke Adams' order to have B-HEARD fully operated by the city's Health and Hospitals system has implications. Stettin explains that this move complicates B-HEARD's operations, as the FDNY faces union rules requiring two EMTs for every call, exacerbating the existing staff shortage.
The Impact of Headline-Grabbing Crimes
Dr. Gary Belkin, who oversaw de Blasio's mental health initiative, highlights the potential for headline-grabbing crimes to derail efforts. Critics can use these incidents to argue against new approaches, creating a challenging environment for implementing change. Belkin suggests that a recurring pattern of focusing on crises rather than prevention may hinder progress.
Funding and Support
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 his initial $1.1 billion plan. Elle Bisgaard-Church, Mamdani's Chief of Staff, emphasizes the administration's commitment to making "historic changes" and consulting with experts nationwide.
Addressing the Root Causes
The vision for the Office of Community Safety goes beyond crisis response. Bisgaard-Church highlights the need to "get upstream" and address the root causes that lead people to crisis points. This comprehensive approach aims to tackle the issue at its core, offering a more sustainable solution.
The Role of Support and Connection Centers
Under de Blasio, the city introduced support and connection centers, 24-hour facilities where B-HEARD workers could bring individuals experiencing mental health emergencies. These centers offer short-term stays as an alternative to hospitals. However, the implementation has been slow, with only one center in East Harlem and another in the Bronx, which eventually closed due to low traffic.
Comparisons and Criticism
Scott Stringer, a former city comptroller and political adversary, draws parallels between Mamdani's initiative and de Blasio's controversial Thrive program. Stringer believes Mamdani's plan resembles Thrive 2.0, which faced criticism for its lack of transparency and unclear goals. Bisgaard-Church acknowledges the need for improved metrics to address these concerns.
Conclusion
Mamdani's mental health plan is ambitious and necessary, but it faces significant hurdles. The success of B-HEARD and the Office of Community Safety will depend on adequate funding, effective implementation, and a shift towards addressing the root causes of mental health crises. While the challenges are real, the potential impact on improving mental health emergency response in New York City is immense, and it's a journey worth embarking on.
