DiNapoli: New York Can Do More to Enhance Strategies to Lower Suicide Rate

Counties across New York aren't getting the timely data they need to help them prevent suicides, according to an audit released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. While the Office of Mental Health (OMH) has implemented or partially implemented most of the recommendations from the state's Suicide Prevention Task Force, auditors found that gaps in oversight and data-sharing have left the state unable to measure whether these efforts are reducing suicide deaths, which have not declined in recent years.

"Every life lost to suicide is a devastating tragedy for families and communities," DiNapoli said. "The Office of Mental Health could improve efforts to implement the recommendations made by the New York State Suicide Prevention Task Force to ensure timely and accurate data is shared with counties. With stronger monitoring and coordination, New York can save lives and better protect people in crisis."

The audit was requested by New York City Council Member Erik Bottcher, who has advocated for LGBTQ+ mental health and suicide prevention and championed legislation to expand mental health resources.

DiNapoli went on to state, "I thank Council Member Erik Bottcher for requesting that my office examines this serious issue. Erik Bottcher has been a leader in advocating for strategies to prevent suicides, especially among vulnerable communities. The Council Member's sponsorship of Local Law 35, which requires mental health professionals in Department of Homeless Services' shelters, serving families with children, has made a positive impact for people in New York City."

"Suicide prevention depends on timely, accurate data and strong coordination across every level of government," Bottcher said. "As a survivor myself, I know how much it matters when systems work and how devastating it is when they fail. Comptroller Tom DiNapoli has shown extraordinary leadership by bringing rigor, transparency, and moral urgency to this issue year after year. His audits have not only identified gaps in our systems, they have forced government at every level to confront hard truths and do better. Once again, the Comptroller is performing a vital public service by ensuring that mental health and suicide prevention remain matters of accountability, not abstraction. This report makes clear that while progress has been made, too many counties and communities are still operating without the information they need to save lives. We owe it to New Yorkers, especially those most vulnerable, to act decisively on the Comptroller's findings, close these gaps, and ensure our prevention strategies are guided by real, usable data."

The task force was created in 2017 and brings together experts, state agencies and community partners to recommend strategies for reducing suicide. OMH was charged with guiding the implementation of its recommendations and ensuring counties had access to up-to-date data. The audit was conducted from July 2023 to July 2025 to review OMH's progress.

Progress Made, But Gaps Remain

Auditors found OMH had implemented or partially implemented 46 of 51 recommendations reviewed. However, shortcomings remain in how progress is tracked, data is shared and results are documented. OMH has also not set clear goals or measurements to determine if the task force's recommendations are reducing suicides. As a result, OMH and counties don't know if programs like school-based trainings or hospital initiatives to improve suicide care are working or need to be changed.

Important Data Delayed

Most counties (80%) reported they did not have access to timely data on suicide-related hospitalizations, and 66% reported they did not have access to timely crisis hotline call data. While the Department of Health (DOH) collects this information, auditors found OMH did not establish data sharing agreements to provide direction for statewide, regional and local efforts. Local officials often said they waited months or years for critical data, preventing them from identifying important trends that could help save lives.

Missing Details to Identify At-Risk Populations

Key demographic data, such as race, ethnicity, veteran status and sexual orientation or gender identity, were incomplete. Without this data, counties may miss disparities and fail to target resources where they are needed most. Between 2018 and 2021, the national suicide rate increased by 26% among Native Americans, 19% among Blacks, and 7% among Hispanics, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In New York, this data is not consistently tracked. Auditors determined the state needs to prioritize collecting and reporting key demographic data to better inform prevention strategies for those most at risk. OMH acknowledged the gaps identified in the audit and said it will use this data once DOH makes it more readily available.

Recordkeeping

OMH has not kept full records of task force meetings. These records are meant for task force members, OMH leadership and partner agencies to track what was decided, what actions were assigned and what progress was made. Without minutes or documentation, there is no accountability or institutional memory, making it harder for agencies to follow through, adjust strategies or learn from past decisions, especially during emergencies like the pandemic when quick, coordinated action was needed.

Recommendations

Auditors recommended OMH develop and implement practices to monitor, evaluate and document efforts to implement task force and/or other specified recommendations for suicide prevention activities, and develop practices to improve accuracy and completeness of core suicide surveillance data and information sharing.

In its response, OMH generally agreed with the findings and said it will issue a new State Suicide Prevention Strategy this fall. A full list of the recommendations reviewed by auditors is available in the exhibit at the end of the audit.

Audit
Implementation of Suicide Prevention Task Force Recommendations