A report from New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli has brought attention to a troubling trend in the mental health system. The report shows a 23% increase in individuals served by the state’s public mental health system, totaling nearly 900,000 New Yorkers, from 2013 to 2022. At the same time, the capacity of inpatient psychiatric facilities statewide fell by 10.5% from April 2014 to December 2023.
Excluding New York City, the number of psychiatric beds across the state decreased by 9.8%, partially due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, as more people opted to stay home and use telehealth services or avoid seeking necessary care, inpatient psychiatric services saw a decline in utilization. This led to many facilities not being used enough to justify remaining open. In response, the state Department of Health and Office of Mental Health directed community hospitals to reopen approximately 850 of these beds in January 2023. However, as of December, only around 500 beds have returned to operation.
This recent issue of reopening beds in response to increased demand is part of a larger trend of declining inpatient capacity that has been ongoing for years. DiNapoli suggests that this decline is the result of policy decisions made decades ago, indicating a need for long-term solutions to address the growing mental health needs of New Yorkers. The report also highlights concerns about accessibility and affordability of mental health services for those who need them most.
