The plan, known as NYC Thrive, is expected to be announced by the end of the month.
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“At any given time over half a million adult New Yorkers are estimated to have depression, yet less than 40% report receiving care for it”, states the report that I do not have the energy to read because I’m too distracted by the elephant’s weight of anxiety that constantly sits on my chest.
The study, released yesterday, found that depression was most prevalent among New Yorkers, with eight percent of the population suffering from major depressive disorder.
As sad as it might sound, one in every five people living in NY suffers from various mental problems, ranging from psychological disorders to depression or thoughts of suicide, which often lead to substance abuse.
The “white paper” released Thursday outlines the size and scope of the problem facing NY City.
Dr. Gary Belkin, health department deputy commissioner, said there is a set of public health issues plaguing many people in the city. “We know what we’re going to be doing, and over the coming weeks you’re going to be hearing about it”.
“Alcohol misuse is estimated to cost NYC almost $6 billion in citywide economic productivity losses every year, while depression accounts for $2.4 billion in losses”, the report said, while “misuse of illicit and prescription drugs and alcohol in NYC together cost approximately $1 billion in criminal justice expenditures annually”.
City officials stressed the importance of curbing mental health issues in light of the report’s findings.
In August, Mayor de Blasio’s wife, Chirlane McCray, told Crain’s NY that the mayor’s office would devote $386 million to mental health over the next three years. “Childhood exposure to adverse events-such as domestic violence, neglect, abuse, family financial strain, and divorce (or certain community conditions such as unsafe neighborhoods)-are all associated with chronic diseases and threats to mental health in adulthood”.
She has discussed her parents’ struggles with depression and the past substance abuse of her daughter, Chiara. Poor and minority residents represent a disproportionate amount of this group, with poor and minority groups experiencing higher levels of mental health illnesses than whites.
The number of residents experiencing psychological disorders such as depression has held steady in recent years, it finds. Mental health problems relating to drugs and alcohol, as well as overdoses, were also shown to have increased in recent years.
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Synthetic marijuana, often called spice or K2, is also leading to more deaths and psychotic episodes in the city, he said.
