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Discussion on 988 mental health crisis hotline and proposed budget cuts
2:35:54
ยท
4 min
Council Member Restler expresses concern about the 988 mental health crisis hotline, questioning the proposed 30% budget cut despite increasing call volumes. Commissioner Morse explains the rationale behind the budget adjustment and assures that current funding meets the demand.
- Debate over the impact of budget cuts on 988 service capacity
- Discussion of call volume trends and resource allocation
- Concerns raised about potential reduction in mental health crisis response capabilities
Lincoln Restler
2:35:54
But with that, I will shift to mental health issues.
2:35:59
So I'm really concerned about 988.
2:36:03
I think we'd all agree that we want to see more mental health professionals responding to calls where their expertise is best suited.
2:36:12
Has the call volume been increasing for NYC nine eighty eight with the change in the political climate?
2:36:17
Are there sufficient resources to handle crisis calls from LGBTQ and Spanish speaking communities right now?
Michelle Morse
2:36:23
Thank you for the question.
2:36:25
We agree that 988 is an invaluable resource and we partner closely with OMH to make sure that it is working and is meeting the needs of New Yorkers.
Lincoln Restler
2:36:34
Do we have capacity to handle the increased is there increased call volume and do we have the capacity to handle it?
Michelle Morse
2:36:38
There as of December 2025, there were 29,000
Lincoln Restler
2:36:42
December 24.
2:36:43
Thank
Michelle Morse
2:36:45
you.
2:36:46
December 2024, there were 29,000 inbound calls and we get about 335,000
Lincoln Restler
2:36:53
calls
Michelle Morse
2:36:53
per year
Lincoln Restler
2:36:54
No new data for the Trump administration?
2:36:56
No new data through the new year?
Michelle Morse
2:36:58
We would be happy to follow-up for 20 20 I'm
Lincoln Restler
2:37:01
just totally confounded at why the health department would propose a 30% cut to nine eighty eight, Considering how critical a service this is, how important a resource it is for communities at risk, why would your department propose such a draconian cut at this time when this resource is more important than ever?
Michelle Morse
2:37:19
Our current budget for Vibrant, our contract with Vibrant, which is the organization that runs our September contract in partnership with OMH is $22,000,000
Lincoln Restler
2:37:31
Down from Down from what the previous year?
2:37:34
30
Michelle Morse
2:37:35
Down from $33,000,000 the previous So
Lincoln Restler
2:37:38
that's a 30% cut year over year.
2:37:40
This service is more needed than ever.
2:37:42
Call volume is going up.
2:37:43
Why a 30% cut?
2:37:44
Could you explain the rationale?
Michelle Morse
2:37:47
Absolutely.
2:37:48
So we expected there to be an increase in volume in FY '20 '3 and FY '24 because of a number of different things.
2:37:56
What we were expecting for those years was about 500,000 calls per year.
2:38:01
That never materialized.
2:38:04
So that higher rate of funding was really with the anticipation of having a higher number of calls, again about 500,000 calls per year.
2:38:12
What we're seeing right now is about 335,000 calls per year.
2:38:16
And so our $22,000,000 per year contract with Vibrant right now is meeting that need.
Lincoln Restler
2:38:22
I I think inherently if you were to actually if this cut that you all have imposed, a 30% cut on Vibrant and the nine eight eight call capacity were to be realized, it would significantly reduce the ability of nine eighty eight to respond to calls in the ways that we all want to see.
2:38:39
And it takes time to build up a new infrastructure, a new number for people to call so they don't just go to 911.
2:38:46
And I think we're, you know, cutting off our nose to spite our face here.
2:38:50
It saves it's pound it's penny wise, but pound foolish.
2:38:53
It doesn't make sense for us to to impose such significant cuts to this mental health infrastructure that we need so much.
2:39:00
Chair, could I do two more topics briefly?
Lynn Schulman
2:39:02
Can I
Michelle Morse
2:39:03
just mention, council member Ressler, we take that concern extremely seriously?
2:39:07
Mental health concerns for the city are one of our top priorities.
2:39:12
And as I already mentioned, within Healthy NYC, we both have an overdose and suicide reduction goal.
2:39:18
We know that we have to have a certain level of service delivery.
Lincoln Restler
2:39:21
I respect you articulating that,
Michelle Morse
2:39:22
but Can I finish my Please,
Erik D. Bottcher
2:39:24
go ahead?
Michelle Morse
2:39:24
So our expectation is for to get to that goal, are going to have to make sure our service delivery is commensurate with it.
2:39:31
At this time 90% of the calls to 988 are answered within thirty seconds and we have mobile crisis teams that are mobilized.
2:39:38
In fact we had more mobilized this year than last year to address the needs of callers to 988.
2:39:44
So I would say that I do understand your concern and definitely wanna make sure that New Yorkers get the services that they need, but we do have a $22,000,000 contract with Vibrant and we're in discussion with Vibrant again about any changes in call volume that are expected.
Lincoln Restler
2:40:00
I hear you.