Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the launch of the Elevate You Clinics during a meeting at NYC Health + Hospitals, aimed at providing young New Yorkers, ages 16 to 25, with comprehensive health services. With funding of $4 million from MetroPlusHealth, the initiative seeks to address the significant drop in mental health care engagement as youth transition out of pediatric services.
The Elevate You Clinics, located at NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull in Brooklyn and in Queens, plan to offer a variety of services tailored specifically for young adults. The clinics will provide ongoing mental health care, primary health services, reproductive health care, and both vocational and social support. A dedicated team, including a social worker, psychiatrist, nurse, youth peer, and family advocate, will ensure that these individuals receive consistent care from their teenage years into adulthood.
Mayor Mamdani highlighted the importance of retaining young people in health care as they transition to adulthood, noting that almost 90% stop seeing their mental health providers once they turn 21. The approach aims to reduce emergency room visits and improve long-term health outcomes by fostering continuous connections with care teams (Source: https://youtu.be/sGwqJjtWofA&t=462).
Key components of the Elevate You Clinics include whole health support, life skills development, and creating youth-friendly environments. These clinics will also help young adults navigate education and career paths, offering resources for college and vocational training. Spaces are designed to be inviting, with hangout areas that cater specifically to young adults, making them more approachable (Source: https://youtu.be/sGwqJjtWofA&t=1065).
The introduction of the Elevate You Clinics aligns with ongoing efforts in New York City to enhance mental health services for youth, including the 16 School-Based Mental Health Clinics that provide clinical support directly within schools. This initiative addresses vital gaps in mental health care for a demographic often overlooked in health programs (Source: https://youtu.be/sGwqJjtWofA&t=1930).
The elevation of health care services for young New Yorkers marks a focus on building a healthier community while also aiming to rectify deep inequities in care access, as emphasized in the city’s 2024 State of Mental Health report. The commitment to improve these healthcare outcomes reflects broader municipal goals of ensuring all residents, particularly youth, receive the support they need during pivotal years of transition into adulthood (Source: https://youtu.be/sGwqJjtWofA&t=1542).
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