NYC Council Votes to Expand School-Based Mental Health Support for Students as Next Part of Its Mental Health Roadmap

Council also voted to reform lobbying rules for top city government officials after leaving city service

City Hall - Today, the New York City Council voted to expand supports for youth mental health by increasing resources for school-based peer-to-peer programming. With youth mental health challenges on the rise, Speaker Adrienne Adams first outlined a focus on peer-based mental health solutions for youth in her 2024 State of the City address. The Council held a series of listening sessions with stakeholders to better understand the struggles of young New Yorkers and possible solutions. This legislative package is the product of Speaker Adams' initial proposals and listening sessions with advocates, service providers and youth, which aim to provide students with tools and resources that support their well-being. They represent the fourth stop of the Council's Mental Health Roadmap, a comprehensive and evolving plan to improve mental health outcomes for New Yorkers.

The Council also passed legislation to reform the current lobbying regulations of former city employees and public servants are allowed to lobby city government after they have left city service.

"Supporting our youth's mental health is essential to their well-being and success, especially in school, where issues can intersect and intensify," said Speaker Adrienne Adams. "We are following through on what I called for in my State of the City address last year by supporting our students to have the resources that empower them to manage their mental health. Programs like student wellness clubs and peer-to-peer support groups provide safe spaces for students to share challenges, build coping skills, and connect with others who can relate. I thank our colleagues for supporting this important legislation for our scholars."

Expanding Youth Mental Health Supports

Introduction 986-A, sponsored by Council Member Rita Joseph, would require the City to develop a two-year pilot program to involve mental health professional candidates in student wellness clubs at public middle and high schools. These professional candidates, such as individuals studying to become licensed social workers, would facilitate student discussions and workshops on various mental health topics.

"As a forever educator, I know firsthand how vital it is to address the mental health needs of our young people," said Council Member Rita Joseph. "With the passage of Int. 986, we are taking an innovative step to support student well-being by introducing mental health professional candidates into student wellness clubs. This pilot program will not only provide students with safe spaces to discuss and navigate mental health challenges but also strengthen the pipeline of future mental health professionals through meaningful engagement with our youth. Addressing mental health as a city starts with our youngest New Yorkers, this initiative underscores the City Council's commitment to creating a healthier, more supportive environment for them to thrive. By fostering partnerships with universities and prioritizing collaboration with our public schools, we are building a stronger foundation for the well-being of our entire city."

Introduction 989-A, sponsored by Council Member Linda Lee, would require the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to create student wellness club toolkits to help guide middle and high school students on how to create peer-led student wellness clubs. The bill would also require the Department of Education (DOE) to post guidance on its website on how to start a student club at school and make the student wellness club toolkits created by DOHMH available to all middle and high school students.

"It's my pleasure to pass legislation today that continues the City Council's ongoing work and advocacy on mental health geared toward our city's youth," said Council Member Linda Lee. "As our Mental Health Roadmap expands to incorporate the mental health challenges of our youth, my bill, Intro. 989, will require the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to guide students in creating peer-led wellness groups to facilitate their well-being. Peer support services are among the most effective and rapidly growing healthcare models. These support services can serve as a valuable resource for our school communities, as our city continues to combat the ongoing mental health crisis."

Introduction 996-A, sponsored by Council Member Althea Stevens, would require the Commissioner of Health and Mental Hygiene to offer peer-based mental health literacy training to public middle and high school students. The DOE would have to distribute informational materials concerning the availability of this training to public middle and high schools each academic year.

"The passage of Int. 996 is a crucial step in addressing the mental health crisis within our communities, especially among our youth. By equipping students with the knowledge and tools to recognize and respond to mental health challenges in their peers, we are fostering an environment of support and understanding," said Council Member Althea Stevens. "This peer-based mental health literacy training not only empowers young people to take an active role in the well-being of their classmates but also promotes a culture where seeking help is normalized and encouraged. Ensuring that our students are well-informed and compassionate is essential for building resilient communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive."

Introduction 1103-A, sponsored by Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala, would require the NYPD, within 48 hours of a determination that a violent or traumatic incident has occurred, to notify the Mayor's Office of Community Mental Health (OCMH) of such incident. A violent or traumatic incident is defined as any incident or series of incidents that can cause severe emotional and mental distress to the public. Upon receiving notice of a violent or traumatic incident, OCMH would be required to conduct outreach to local community members regarding the availability of mental health resources in the city, such as the 988 suicide and crisis hotline.

"Oftentimes, New Yorkers do not know where to get the help they need after experiencing a violent or trauma incident", said Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala. "It is incumbent upon city government to help people receive the support they need in what can be the most difficult time of their lives. The intention is that with Introduction 1103-A that City Hall and our city agencies will take an active role in connecting New Yorkers with existing resources to help address trauma within our communities."

Increasing Accountability in City Services and Leadership

Introduction 77-A, sponsored by Council Member Lincoln Restler, would reform the current system under which former city employees and public servants are allowed to lobby city government after they have left city service. Under this bill, several former agency heads and employees of the Mayor's Office, including the Chief of Staff to the Mayor, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Mayor, Chief Counsel to the Mayor, Chief Advisor to the Mayor, Senior Advisor to the Mayor, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, Communications Director, Press Secretary, and any public servant who directly reports to the mayor would be barred from lobbying any city agency for two years.

"Intro 77-A will prohibit senior staff from the Mayor's Office from lobbying any City agency for two years after they leave public service. Our broken lobbying system has allowed the most senior Mayoral staff to amass power that they can turn into great wealth as soon as they depart City government," said Council Member Lincoln Restler. "By slamming the revolving door shut, we can restore public trust and strengthen integrity in our government - so the needs of New Yorkers are not overlooked at the expense of insiders."

Introduction 587-A, sponsored by Council Member Eric Dinowitz, would require the 311-customer service center to conduct customer satisfaction surveys after each individual call and provide the customer with an option to ask for the service request or complaint to be reopened by the agency. 311 would be required to publish this information on its website every month.

"With the passage of my bill, Int. 0587A-2024, the City of New York takes another step toward improving the quality of life for our constituents," said Council Member Eric Dinowitz. "My bill requires the 311 system to take in the most important information needed for our city to improve the delivery of services: feedback - feedback directly from its residents on the performance of critical city services. With this data, our residents can make their voices heard, and the City Council will have the information we need to hold our city agencies accountable for both their successes and failures. As elected officials, serving our constituents is the most important work we can do. I want to thank Speaker Adrienne Adams for her continued support of this legislative package and look forward to continuing the effort to creating a city that is a more accessible, responsive and efficient."

Updating Waste Characterization Studies

Introduction 697-A, sponsored by Council Member Sandy Nurse, would require the Department of Sanitation to conduct two waste characterization studies, the first of which would examine the residential and institutional waste streams and be due by January 31, 2028. The second would examine available information on the commercial waste stream and be due by January 31, 2032.

"The fight against our climate crisis requires data-driven strategies and informed decisions. We don't have the luxury of time to do guesswork as we face more extreme weather." said Council Member Sandy Nurse. "The passage of Intro 697 brings us one step closer to a zero-landfill waste future. By requiring regular studies of our waste, this legislation will help us find new ways to improve our recycling and composting strategies to divert as much waste as possible from landfills and incinerators. We must continue to hold our City accountable to its zero waste goals for the sustainability of our communities and their futures."

Suspending Street Parking Rules for Losar

Introduction 100, sponsored by Council Member Julie Won, would suspend alternate side parking rules for the holiday Losar. Losar is the first day of the first month of the Tibetan lunar calendar and is celebrated by an estimated 61,000 New Yorkers.

"At least 61,000 New Yorkers in my district and across New York City celebrate Losar, the Tibetan Buddhist New Year. My bill to suspend Alternate Side Parking will allow our neighbors to focus on celebrating the new year without disruption or fear of getting towed," said Council Member Julie Won. "This historic bill is the first ASP holiday that is specific for Buddhists. I am honored to celebrate this milestone with our Tibetan and Himalayan community and honor their sacred traditions and time with their families."

Designating January 31 as Cecili Gentili Day

Resolution 678, sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Caban, would designate January 31st annually as Cecili Gentili Day in the City of New York to recognize her significant contributions as an author, performer, policymaker, and activist, who fought for the rights of undocumented immigrants, sex workers, and LGBTQIA+ individuals.

"I am so proud today to be passing a resolution that honors the late, great, Cecilia Gentili," said Council Member Tiffany Cabán. "Cecilia was a fearless leader, a trans icon, an author, an actress, a pioneering advocate for the dignity and freedom of sex workers, and so much more. She put her body on the line for anyone facing exploitation, discrimination, or persecution. Even though Cecilia is no longer with us, her impact lives on and is magnified by every person who knew her and every community shaped by her. May her memory be a joyous, visionary, fearless revolution, and may our city's new Cecilia Gentili Day serve as a testament to that revolution."

Commemorating January 27 as Auschwitz Remembrance Day

Resolution 713, sponsored by Council Member Eric Dinowitz and Council Member Keith Powers, would recognize January 27, 2025, as the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration and extermination camp and commemorating January 27 annually as Auschwitz Remembrance Day in the City of New York to honor the memories of the over one million Jews and tens of thousands of others who died brutally there at the hands of Nazis during World War II.

"As Chair of the New York City Council's Jewish Caucus, I have made it a key priority to elevate the very real challenges that Jewish New Yorkers are facing with the uptick of hate crimes against the Jewish community," said Council Member Eric Dinowitz. "As we approach this solemn day, we are reminded that with each day that goes by we are losing another voice of a Holocaust survivor who can remind us of the evil that can come when anti-Semitism is left unabated in our public sphere. With this resolution, all New Yorkers can know that this City Council will Never Forget. I wish to thank Speaker Adrienne Adams, Council Member Keith Powers and my colleagues in the Jewish Caucus for their partnership in this important work."

"Eighty years after the liberation of Auschwitz, the people who witnessed the horrors there are now sadly far too few," said Council Member Keith Powers. "It is our responsibility to carry the history of what happened eighty years ago; to tell the stories of those who were brutally murdered and tortured at Auschwitz so that future generations never forget the appalling crimes that took place, and never allow anything like them to happen again. I am grateful to Jewish Caucus Chair Dinowitz for carrying this resolution, and for continuing the fight against antisemitism and hatred so our Jewish community can live peacefully, without fear."

Land Use:

Gleason Funeral Home Commercial Overlay - a private application to facilitate the construction of a new accessory parking lot, which will provide 22 additional off-street parking spaces for a funeral home in Council Member Vickie Paladino's District.

Finance:

A Preconsidered Resolution, sponsored by Council Member Brannan, wouldapprove the new designation and changes in the designation of certain organizations to receive funding in the Expense Budget.

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