On Long Island, the need for mental health services, advocacy continues to grow

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The need for mental health services on Long Island and across the country continues to grow.

More than half of all Americans are living with a mental health disorder, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Catholic Health reports seeing dramatic increases in behavioral health disorders that include substance abuse, depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

The topic of mental health on Long Island was the focus of “Addressing the Growing Need for Mental Health Services & Advocacy,” one of two panels of this year’s Health Care Forum, a Long Island Business News online event.

The panel was moderated by Adina Genn, an LIBN staff writer.

Expert panelists included Adrienne LoPresti, executive director of YES Community Counseling Center, with offices in Massapequa and Levittown; Kathleen Rivera, executive director and CEO of North Shore Child & Family Guidance, whose administrative offices are in Roslyn Heights and has two additional locations in Manhasset and Westbury; and Jamie Rosen, a partner who chairs the Mental Health Law Group at Meister Seelig & Fein, whose Long Island office is in Jericho.

“There really is no wrong time to call for help,” Rosen said.

“You can plan for an inevitable relapse or some type of crisis so that you are prepared,” Rosen added, noting that red flags can include when someone stops taking their medication or stops seeing their mental health provider or when there are changes in behavior.

“More often than not, however, I get the call when a mental health crisis is well underway and we start to strategize and advocate immediately,” she said. Her work includes helping clients “navigate all stages of a psychiatric hospitalization,” advocating for a “safe and comprehensive discharge plan,” and preparing guardianships, “which can be a very effective tool when used appropriately,” she said.

And while there is more funding for mental health programs, providers at nonprofit organizations struggle to meet demand.

Qualified staffers are “fleeing to the private sector,” LoPresti said. That’s “partially due to the expansion of telehealth and opportunities for people to work remotely. The grassroots and community-based settings are sometimes losing those staff because it’s a challenge to provide equitable wages.”

Another challenge, she said, is staff burnout, and keeping up with increased costs.

“We really are still in a crisis where we are often not adequately staffed. Increased programming is wonderful, but having qualified staff to provide those services is just as important so that we can deliver the outcomes that we want to see,” LoPresti said.

“The financial barriers to mental health treatment is not a new challenge,” Rivera said.

To see this conversation in full, click here, and scroll to the Replay tab.