A new report unveiled by a bipartisan task force launched by U.S. Rep. John Katko (R-NY) outlined gaps in behavioral and mental health services available to youth in Central New York.
The final report of the Youth Mental Health Task Force was the culmination of two years of dialogue with health care providers, community advocates and hospitals on the needs to strengthen access to pediatric mental health care.
The report highlights the importance of streamlining data collection on the prevalence of mental illness, improving mental health services, supporting primary and mental health care providers, and exploring options to improve crisis management and treatment.
“There is a dire need to improve access to pediatric mental health care in Central New York, and this report outlines recommendations to help overcome the barriers we face — including improving early identification of behavioral and mental health issues among children, expanding innovative and unique treatment practices, and incentivizing health care providers to pursue careers in mental health care,” Katko said.
Katko and New York Assemblyman Bill Magnarelli (D-Syracuse) launched the Youth Mental Health Task Force in an effort to provide recommendations to improve youth mental health care in Central New York.
The report said the number of observations of children and adolescents showing symptoms of mental illness has nearly quadrupled, citing the comparison of studies between 1980-1993 and 1993-2002. One in four adults, approximately 57.7 million Americans, experience a mental health disorder in a given year.
Furthermore, in upstate New York, the rate of suicide has far outpaced the national trend. The first onset of mental disorders usually occurs in childhood or adolescence.
“I am committed to working with our community partners to move these reforms forward for Central New York and I will continue to advocate for policies to address this public health crisis in Congress,” Katko said.
The report identifies key priorities as the need for expanded use of telepsychiatry, open access to psychiatric centers, incentivizing core mental health professionals to focus on mental health care, and improving mental health education in primary care.
Jeanette Angeloro, the director of outpatient behavioral health services at St. Joseph’s Health, said the report offers valuable insights into the state of adolescent mental health care in Central New York and preliminary steps to improve mental health programs.
“Sadly, early detection and diagnosis of mental illness is possible, but often missed. It is imperative that we find a better way to integrate behavioral and mental health care delivery using multiple settings and providers,” she said.