NEW YORK STATE LAUNCHES INITIATIVE TO PROMOTE MENTAL HEALTH PREPAREDNESS DURING EMERGENCIES

 

Office of Mental Health Launches Public Education Push Aimed at Helping New Yorkers Prepare, Cope, and Reduce Stress

Ads in English and Spanish Now Running Statewide on Streaming Audio, Social Media, and Display Banners

The state Office of Mental Health today launched a public education initiative to help New Yorkers to emotionally prepare for emergencies and recognize resources that can help them cope during stressful events like disasters. The ‘Prepare Today’ initiative will feature ads on social media, display banners, and on streaming audio platforms throughout the state from now through late September.

“Being prepared can help reduce stress and lead to an improved emotional response in the event of an emergency or disaster,” Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said. “The ‘Prepare Today’ initiative will provide New Yorkers with basic tools they can use to help them stay calm when bad things happen. By focusing on what we can do ahead of time and by being aware of the resources available to help us cope, we can improve how we manage these challenges and perform under pressure.”

The initiative is funded through a $650,000 federal grant and aimed at increasing public awareness about stress and the importance of mental health during emergencies. In addition to promoting coping resources available to help when these situations arise, the ads will also reinforce the importance of preparedness and how being ready can help reduce emotional strain when disaster strikes. 

Ads will promote the website, PrepareToday.omh.ny.gov, which features information on how stress can impact decision-making and how to mitigate this natural response during emergencies, including calming tips. The site also details how to plan and prepare for emergencies, in addition to where to find critical information. 

Part of the effort will also educate the public on using three 24-hour resource hotlines and when to use each –911 during an immediate emergency, 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline during an emotional crisis, and 211 Resource Line to find non-emergency information and referral services. The initiative will also support rapid-response messaging to focus messaging in specific areas of the state if they are subject to emergencies, such as extreme weather, natural disasters, or other unforeseen situations. 

OMH continues to work with the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services to provide resources to help New Yorkers in the event of a widespread crisis or disaster. This work was prompted in part by the racially motivated Tops Market shooting in East Buffalo, which killed 10 people and impacts the community to this day.

OMH and DHSES now host training exercises with licensed professionals to provide immediate counseling, mental health assistance, and psychological first aid to individuals experiencing loss or trauma because of a disaster or widespread emergency. To date, these exercises have trained more than 600 OMH employees and 600 others from county workforces across the state on how to address trauma and stress during these events. 

Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Terry O’Leary said, “Preparation is key in every aspect of responding to emergencies and disasters, and this includes utilizing mental coping mechanisms. Unpredictable situations are stressful, but planning ahead and accessing available resources can help alleviate some of that strain and make recovery a smoother process. I want to thank Dr. Sullivan and the Office of Mental Health for launching this new initiative and I look forward to partnering with them as we continue to ensure New Yorkers are prepared for anything that comes their way.”