Mental Health Services for Youth

Published on March 5th, 2024

Memorandum of Support

Re: S8146 Brouk / A9201 Kelles 
Provides mental health teleservices to children, adolescents, and young adults

The above referenced bill would improve access to mental health services to youth by offering up to five mental telehealth services annually for youth or families at no cost to the individual. The New York State Catholic Conference supports this legislation.

Over the past several years, the mental health of children, teens and young adults has taken a drastic turn for the worse. The rise of social media, COVID-19 isolation and increased academic and extracurricular pressures have led to an increase in suicides and hospital admissions. For many families, access to mental health services may be difficult to impossible. This measure takes a positive step toward improving families’ ability to help their children through crisis.

It is imperative that we take action to see our children through these trying times, and to improve mental health outcomes for our young people. We applaud the sponsors of this legislation and urge you to pass it.