Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Fiodhna O'Grady, Director of Government Relations at Samaritans of New York
4:48:28
·
144 sec
Fiodhna O'Grady, representing Samaritans of New York, testified before the NYC City Council to request funding restoration and enhancement for their suicide prevention hotline. She emphasized the critical need for suicide prevention services in New York City, citing alarming statistics on suicide attempts and mental health issues, especially among young people.
- Requested restoration of $312,000 in funding for Samaritans' suicide prevention hotline, with a 10% enhancement to cover rising demand and costs
- Highlighted that suicide claims more lives in NYC than car accidents, with 1 in 3 New Yorkers experiencing symptoms of depression and/or anxiety
- Stressed the importance of investing in local, community-rooted services trusted by the people who use them
Fiodhna O'Grady
4:48:28
Good afternoon Chair of Finance Brannan and Chair of Health Schulman.
4:48:32
My name is Fiona O'Grady and I serve as the Director of Government Relations at the Samaritans of New York, the city's only community based organization solely devoted to suicide prevention, providing confidential nonjudgmental support to New Yorkers in crisis.
4:48:47
We are proud to be part of the eNunity Alliance and to stand with our community partners in advocating for mental health equity across this city.
4:48:55
I'm here today to ask the council to restore the Samaritan's three hundred and twelve thousand in funding for our 20 suicide prevention hotline with a 10% enhancement to cover rising demand and costs under the mental health vulnerable populations initiatives, and to also support those who are with all of the mental health initiatives.
4:49:18
Samaritans provides a free confidential lifeline for New Yorkers of all backgrounds.
4:49:23
No insurance acquired, no identification collected, no judgment from people who are overwhelmed, in despair, or completely alone.
4:49:31
We're not a hospital system, we don't have the infrastructure of a government agency, what we have is trust earned from decades of showing up without conditions for anyone who needs us.
4:49:42
That trust is fragile, and it's a lifesaving service and one of 400 Samaritan centers in 40 countries worldwide.
4:49:51
The need for suicide prevention services has never been greater.
4:49:54
In 2023, '40 '1 thousand suicide attempts were reported statewide.
4:49:59
Suicide claims more lives in New York City, in fact twice as many New Yorkers die by suicide than in car accidents.
4:50:07
One in three New Yorkers are experiencing symptoms of depression and or anxiety.
4:50:13
Our young people are in crisis in '23.
4:50:17
'1 in '10 of our high school students are reporting that they have attempted suicide, which is much larger than the 2021 statistics, and one in five are saying that they have seriously thought about suicide.
4:50:35
We need more to fill these gaps.
4:50:39
We need to lead now more than ever.
4:50:42
The city must invest in local community rooted services trusted by the people who use them and accountable to the communities they serve.
4:50:51
Thank you.