Q&A
Impact of hospital closure on mental health services
1:29:42
·
65 sec
Council Member Carlina Rivera inquires about the impact of losing a full-service hospital on mental health treatment capabilities. Dr. Michelle Morse from the NYC Health Department responds, explaining the potential consequences.
- Mental health is a priority due to high rates of overdose and other mental health needs.
- Hospital closures will force the community to seek mental health care at other hospitals and clinics in the neighborhood.
- Mental health diagnoses are a common cause of emergency department visits and hospitalizations.
Carlina Rivera
1:29:42
Alright.
1:29:42
I'm gonna be brief then, I guess.
1:29:44
Alright.
1:29:45
I I appreciate you.
1:29:50
How will the loss of a full service hospital affect the ability to treat mental health needs, including mental health emergencies, chronic needs, and inpatient mental health.
1:30:04
You mentioned this in your testimony, which is why I'm asking.
Dr. Michelle Morse
1:30:08
Yeah.
1:30:08
Thank you for the question.
1:30:10
Particularly, again, because of the high rates of overdose and other mental health needs and mental health plan that the New York City Health Department released This is a priority area for us.
1:30:20
Mental health diagnoses are a common cause of emergency department visits and hospitalizations.
1:30:27
So the same kind of analysis applies from our perspective Any hospital that closes means that the ripple effects will be the community seeking care there, including mental health care, will be forced to look to other hospitals and clinics in that neighborhood to get their care, including mental health care.
