Mental Health Services in New York
Mental health navigation in NY runs through a different system than developmental disability. Different agency (OMH), different waivers, different teams. Here's the map.
In crisis right now
- NYC Well 1-888-692-9355NYC only — multilingual mental health support.
Children's Waiver — SED track
For children with Serious Emotional Disturbance. Provides respite, family/caregiver supports, community psychiatric supports & treatment, crisis intervention. Goes through Health Home Care Management.
- •Ask the county Single Point of Access (SPOA) or your Health Home CMA to begin.
- •Diagnosis alone doesn't qualify — functional impairment must be documented.
ACT Teams — Assertive Community Treatment
Multidisciplinary team (psychiatrist, nurse, social worker, peer specialist) for adults with serious mental illness who haven't been served well by clinic-based care.
- •Refer through Single Point of Access (SPOA) in your county.
- •Team comes to the person — home, work, hospital.
Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT / Kendra's Law)
Court-ordered outpatient mental health treatment for adults with a history of dangerous noncompliance. Family members can petition.
- •Petition through county mental health office.
- •Requires documented history of hospitalization or violence linked to noncompliance.
Peer Support & Family Resource Centers
Free, lived-experience support. Family-run organizations help parents navigate school mental health, hospitalization, and post-discharge planning.
Schools and mental health
- •Schools must consider mental health needs for IEP/504 plans — counseling can be related service.
- •Suspensions over 10 days for behavior caused by a disability require a Manifestation Determination Review.
- •School-based mental health clinics exist in many districts — ask the building principal.