New York State Office of Mental Health expanding program to help youth with psychosis

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently announced that the New York State Office of Mental Health is expanding the OnTrackNY program, which provides mental health services to young adults with newly emerging schizophrenic symptoms.

Beginning in 2013, OnTrackNY has sites in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Yonkers, which serve approximately 160 youth. With $6.75 million in current annual state and federal funding, OnTrackNY is expanding to new locations in Buffalo, Farmingville, Syracuse and two additional Manhattan locations, predicted to serve approximately 175 youth combined. Program sites in Albany and Rochester, and one more in New York City, are currently in development.

“Early intervention can save lives, and with this funding we’re going to be able to reach more young adults battling mental illness and put them on the path toward comprehensive treatment,” ‎Gov. Cuomo said in a press release. “I thank our state and federal partners for working with us to secure this funding and ensuring that more New Yorkers get the services they need.”

The OnTrackNY program offers an evidence-based team approach to providing recovery-oriented treatment to young individuals who recently began experiencing symptoms of psychosis. The program aims to help these individuals achieve goals for school, work and social relationships.

“Through early identification and intervention through programs such as OnTrackNY, we are able to mitigate the disruption and suffering faced by these young people and their families. The expansion of OnTrackNY will build upon the successes of the existing programs and increase the access and availability of community-based psychiatric care throughout New York State,” Ann Marie T. Sullivan, MD, commissioner of the New York State Office of Mental Health, said in the release.