In a groundbreaking move, the New York City Council is considering a bill that would provide free mental health services to newly arrived migrants in the city. The proposal, introduced by Councilmembers Lynn Schulman, Shahana Hanif, and Jennifer Gutiérrez, aims to station mental health coordinators at all 218 city migrant shelters, costing taxpayers at least $15 million a year.
The bill would require the Mayor’s Office of Community Health to have at least one mental health coordinator at any location where refugees and migrants receive services from the city. This includes emergency congregate housing, shelters run by the Department of Homeless Services, and resource centers providing social services to refugees and immigrants.
Despite the city’s efforts to provide accommodations such as meals, phones, and prepaid credit cards to migrants, activists have highlighted the mental health struggles faced by many newcomers. Power Malu, executive director of Artists Athletes Activists, testified that migrants have experienced breakdowns and likened city accommodations to detention centers in Mexico.
However, the proposal has faced criticism from bipartisan council members who argue that the city’s budget should prioritize essential services like school counselors and safety agents over free mental health services for migrants. Councilman Bob Holden and Minority Leader Joe Borelli have dismissed the idea as “misplaced priorities” and “just more free stuff at the expense of taxpayers.”
As the debate continues, the fate of the bill remains uncertain. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
