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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Paula Magnus, Deputy Director of Northside Center for Child Development on Children's Mental Health Funding
7:01:15
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Paula Magnus, representing Northside Center for Child Development, testified about the urgent need for increased funding to address the mental health crisis among New York City's children. She highlighted the dramatic surge in demand for mental health services since 2020 and the critical importance of investing in children's mental health for the benefit of families, communities, and the broader economy.
- Northside Center serves about 4,000 at-risk children and families annually in Harlem and throughout NYC
- They've seen a 56% increase in children grappling with severe mental health challenges
- Specific funding requests for FY2026 include enhancing support for court-involved youth mental health, children under five, and clinics in schools
Paula Magnus
7:01:15
Good afternoon and thank you.
7:01:16
I'm Paula Magnus, deputy director of Northside Center for Child Development, a vital family mental health client clinic and educational center serving an average of 4,000 at risk children and their families a year in Harlem and throughout New York City.
7:01:34
We know the stark reality, thousands of New York City children are grappling with severe mental health challenges as we heard a fifty six percent increase earlier today.
7:01:45
This is an under recognized crisis that demands our immediate attention.
7:01:50
A 2023 National Institute of Health study revealed alarming rates of clinical depression, anxiety, and profound loneliness among our young people significantly impacting their daily lives and their potential.
7:02:06
At our clinic, we witness these struggles firsthand every day.
7:02:11
Since 2020, we have seen a dramatic surge in demand for our services.
7:02:17
However, we face acute funding shortfalls across our programs.
7:02:23
Increased funding is critical to provide at risk children and families with high quality mental health care they need, deserve, and we have been providing since 1946.
7:02:37
Continued investment benefits not only the children and families we serve, but New York taxpayers, the Harlem community, and the broader economy by fostering a healthy, more productive population.
7:02:50
We cannot continue these financial instabilities.
7:02:54
We urge the city to recognize that investing in the mental health and well-being of our at risk children is not just a priority, it is a fundamental responsibility.
7:03:07
Specifically, Northside fiscal year twenty six funding requests are to enhance our funding for our court involved youth mental health, children under five, and clinics in schools.
7:03:18
It's essential.
7:03:19
Thank you council members.