REMARKS
Chair Linda Lee introduces committee agenda and reads statement on youth mental health bills
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ยท
3 min
Chair Linda Lee opens the meeting of the Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities, and Addiction, introducing four proposed bills related to youth mental health. She explains the importance of these bills in addressing the youth mental health crisis and reads a statement on behalf of Council Member Rita Joseph regarding Intro 986-A.
- The bills focus on implementing peer-led support services in public schools
- Intro 986-A establishes a pilot program involving mental health professional candidates in student wellness clubs
- Lee emphasizes the crucial role of schools in addressing youth mental health and wellness
Linda Lee
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Thank you.
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Good afternoon.
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It's afternoon.
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Right?
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Yes.
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Good afternoon.
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Welcome to this hearing for the New York City Council's Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities, and Addiction.
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Today, the committee will vote on 4 proposed introductions related to youth mental health, which is the focus of the next step on the mental health roadmap.
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The first bill is proposed introduction number 986 a, sponsored by council member Rita Joseph, which would implement a pilot program to involve mental health professional candidates into student wellness clubs in public middle and high schools.
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Next is proposed, introduction number 989a, sponsored by myself, which would require the creation of student wellness club toolkits.
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Proposed introduction number 996a, sponsored by council member Althea Stevens, which would require the creation of peer based mental health literacy trainings for students.
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And proposed introduction number 1103 a, sponsored by deputy speaker Diana Aiella, which would require community outreach regarding the availability of mental health resources in response to violent and traumatic incidents.
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We believe these bills are a crucial first step in tackling the youth mental health crisis.
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The majority of the bills involve implementing peer led support services into our public schools.
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Schools offer a unique opportunity to address the mental health and wellness of New York City youth.
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According to the American Psychological Association, the degree to which young people feel that adults and peers at school care about them and are invested in their success was found to be a key contributor to their mental health.
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Therefore, one of our goals is to send a message not only to our youth, but also to administrators, teachers, staff, and community members that we hear their concerns and will do whatever is in the council's power to address this crisis by first and foremost listening to the youth themselves and investing in their ability to succeed.
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I would like to thank the speaker, the administration, advocates, students, providers, and individuals with lived experience who spoke at the initial hearing and provided invaluable feedback on the substance of these bills.
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Finally, I would like to thank the committee staff who worked on the bills as well as my own staff.
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Before I start the vote I'd like to read a statement on behalf of council member Joseph on her bill because she was unfortunately not able to be here today so I'm gonna go ahead and read it.
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Chairperson Lee and colleagues, I'm thrilled that my bill intro 986A is up for a vote today.
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Intro 986A establishes a pilot program to involve mental health professional candidates in student wellness clubs at public middle and high schools.
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The bill requires a mayor designated agency or agencies to develop and implement the pilot program in schools that choose to participate.
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Specifically, the designated agency or agencies will, a, make every effort to recruit mental health professional candidates for voluntary participation, b, build partnerships with universities to encourage candidate involvement, and c, facilitate discussions and workshops led by these candidates for students.
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Topics will include coping skills, recognizing signs of mental distress, and strategies for maintaining mental well-being.
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The designated agency or agencies will also coordinate with the city school district's chancellors to integrate this initiative within student wellness clubs in middle and high schools.
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This program addresses the urgent need for accessible mental health support in our schools.
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By engaging mental health professional candidates, we can expand resources and help foster a culture of wellness for our students.
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I look forward to the agency or agency's feedback and to refining this initiative further.
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My deepest gratitude to everyone who has worked to bring this bill to the council floor.
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I urge my colleagues to vote yes on intro 986 a.
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Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the life of our students.
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Thank you.