NAACP urges NYC Council to fund community responders for mental health crises

The New York City Council's Committees on Finance, Health, and Mental Health convened on May 26, 2025, to discuss the Fiscal Year 2026 Executive Budget, focusing on critical funding for mental health services and community-based responses to crises.

Key discussions highlighted the urgent need for increased funding for community-based mental health responders to reduce reliance on police during mental health crises. Donovan Tavares from the NAACP Legal Defense Fund emphasized the disproportionate risk of police violence faced by individuals with mental health conditions, particularly among Black individuals. He noted that 1 in 10 911 calls involve someone with a mental health issue, yet many do not pose a threat to public safety. Tavares called for a shift away from police involvement in these situations, advocating for a system rooted in care rather than punishment.

Kimberly Saltz, also from the NAACP, supported this view, stressing that while the mayor's proposed budget includes funding for outreach, it should not further entrench law enforcement in mental health responses. She argued that mobile crisis teams composed of mental health professionals are more effective than police in de-escalating crises and connecting individuals to necessary services.

William Judd from New York Lawyers for the Public Interest echoed these sentiments, citing that over 80% of individuals killed by police during mental health crises in New York City were people of color. He urged the council to remove police from mental health crisis responses entirely and to invest in peer-led crisis intervention teams.

Toni Smith from the Drug Policy Alliance highlighted the ongoing overdose crisis in New York City, particularly among marginalized communities. She called for increased access to harm reduction services rather than increased policing, which she argued exacerbates the problem.

Shlomit Lehi from the Center for Justice Innovations expressed gratitude for the budget's mental health investments but warned of potential federal funding cuts that could threaten critical programs. She urged the council to consider these challenges when finalizing the budget.

The meeting underscored a collective call for a transformative approach to mental health crises in New York City, advocating for community-based solutions that prioritize care and support over law enforcement intervention. The discussions will inform the council's decisions as they finalize the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.