New York (WRGB) — Governor Hochul announced the availability of $43 million in state funding to expand psychiatric emergency services and increase inpatient mental health capacity across New York State, aimed at improving access to care for New Yorkers experiencing mental health crises.

The funding includes $23 million to establish new or expand existing Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Programs (CPEPs) and up to $20 million in capital funding to increase inpatient psychiatric bed capacity at community-based hospitals statewide, according to the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH).

Governor Hochul said,

Part of our efforts to strengthen our mental health care system is ensuring any New Yorker in crisis can access treatment services whenever and wherever they need them. By expanding psychiatric emergency programs and building more inpatient capacity, we can ensure that anyone who experiences a mental health crisis can get the timely, comprehensive care they can rely on to begin their journey toward recovery.

OMH is making $20 million in capital funding and $3 million in start-up funding available to develop new CPEPs for children or expand existing adult programs to add youth services. Current programs can also apply for funding to increase extended observation beds, improve unit safety, and expand treatment and group activity spaces.

CPEPs provide crisis intervention and stabilization services for individuals experiencing behavioral health emergencies and can admit patients for up to 72 hours for extended observation. Services include care for individuals with mental health disorders, substance use disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and co-occurring medical conditions.

In a separate funding opportunity, OMH is offering $20 million in capital funding to expand inpatient psychiatric capacity statewide. This includes:

• Up to $7 million for two OMH-licensed facilities to establish specialized inpatient mental health units for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities
• Funding for one adult unit in New York City and one pediatric unit outside New York City
• Up to $5 million for two statewide projects to expand or renovate inpatient units for adults or adolescents

Additional funding may allow existing OMH-licensed facilities to add new beds, renovate units to include outdoor space, or expand non-bedroom treatment areas.

New York currently funds 31 CPEPs statewide, following a $39 million investment in 2024 that created nine new programs. Between October 2024 and September 2025, state-funded CPEPs recorded more than 110,000 visits and admitted nearly 14,800 patients for extended observation.

Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, the state has added 1,000 psychiatric beds, including 642 beds at community hospitals and 358 beds at state-operated psychiatric centers. Additional projects include the development of 75 new beds at Creedmoor Psychiatric Center in Queens to expand the Transition to Home program for chronically homeless individuals with mental illness.

New York has also committed $160 million to construct 100 new forensic inpatient psychiatric beds in New York City and $28.3 million to increase staff-to-patient ratios at forensic hospitals over the next two years.

New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said the investments will help stabilize individuals in crisis and strengthen the state’s continuum of mental health care, stating:

Adding new inpatient beds and establishing more comprehensive psychiatric emergency programs will help provide timely care to those New Yorkers who are experiencing a mental health emergency. This capacity plays an integral role in bringing stability to people in crisis and connecting them with other recovery-oriented services in our continuum of care. This funding reflects Governor Hochul’s ongoing commitment to expanding inpatient capacity and strengthening our mental health care system.