City launches new mental health support hotline

New Yorkers seeking advice on mental health or substance abuse issues are now just one call away from getting the help they need.

Elected and city officials, including First Lady Chirlane McCray, announced in Corona on Monday a new hotline that will help connect people struggling with mental health challenges with trained counselors and specialists ready to assist.

McCray noted that at any moment one in five New Yorkers is dealing with mental illness, substance abuse, or both.

"We are compelled to think big and strategically because all of us have been touched by this crisis, directly or through someone that we love or care about," she said.

To address this growing issue, the first lady and Deputy Mayor Richard Buery are pushing a program called Thrive NYC, which maps out 54 initiatives designed to provide greater support.

Initiatives include a new system to screen new mothers and pregnant women for maternal depression, training 10,000 workers in mental health first aid, adding mental health support in every school, and creating a mental health service corps to work in communities.

To help New Yorkers better access these resources, McCray announced the launching of NYC Well, which she called a "revolutionary new way" for New Yorkers to connect to care.

"All the treatments and services available are useful only if people can find them," McCray said. "With NYC Well, confidential and high quality mental health support is just one click or one call away, no matter where you live, no matter how much money you make."

The free call will connect callers to a specialist or counselor at any time and any day. The service will be available on the phone or computer in more than 200 languages. New Yorkers can reach Well NYC by calling, texting or chatting with counselors online.

Buery said with Well NYC callers will be connected to a specialist in 30 seconds or less. It can be used anonymously, and can be particularly useful when seeking help for a friend or loved one.

"No long holds, just immediate access," he said. "NYC Well was designed to ensure that no one who needs care will have to go without it."

McCray said the city will launch a public awareness campaign to ensure everyone knows about the hotline.

"We want everyone to know how easy it is to use NYC Well," she said. "We are determined to make sure people know where to turn when they need help themselves or for someone they love."

Mental health is an issue of special importance to McCray and her family, which is partially why she was tapped to lead Thrive NYC.

"I will never forget the moment my daughter told us she was diagnosed with anxiety, depression or addiction," McCray said about her daughter Chiara. "I talked to doctors, I talked to friends and family, I scoured the Internet. The reality is, I didn't really know what I was looking for."

McCray said they finally found professionals who ended up helping her daughter through her struggle. McCray said Chiara is now doing well with her recovery and has recently graduated from college.

"It's a good outcome, but I can never forget those terrible weeks when it felt like help was hiding from us," she said. "I knew it was out there, but we couldn't find it."

One of the Well NYC counselors is Meghan Flanner, who supervises NYC Well's peer support line. Flanner, who has been a peer counselor since 2010, will be one of the many people who will be on the other line of the call.

Flanner has also endured her own struggles with mental health. She began therapy at age 12 after her young uncle committed suicide. She experienced years of suicidal thoughts and depression as well.

"As someone who has struggled with severe depression, anxiety, and as a gay woman who often felt judged by society, I know how hard it can be sometimes just to get through your day," Flanner said.

She said Well NYC is an important option for those who feel isolated and alone during their challenges.

"After many years feeling completely helpless and alone, I finally found a therapist and others who taught me how to handle the stress in my life and stay mentally and physically well," Flanner said. "But finding that help was difficult.

"I know I'm not alone," she added. "Knowing there is always someone at the end of the phone who has the experience and empathy to help is a powerful thing."