Governor Kathy Hochul recognized 10 bilingual mental health professionals serving disadvantaged communities across New York State during a Hispanic Heritage Month event at the Hispanic Society Museum & Library in Manhattan. The ceremony, titled “Bridging Voices, Healing Minds: Celebrating Bilingual Mental Health Providers,” brought together Latino leaders and community members to highlight the importance of culturally and linguistically competent care.
During the event, Governor Hochul issued a proclamation declaring September 15 to October 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month in New York State. She stated, “New York is as vibrant as it is thanks to our Hispanic communities and today at my Annual Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, we honor their immense contributions to our state. Today’s event was also an important opportunity to recognize care professionals who are going above and beyond to serve Hispanic communities throughout the state. Addressing the Mental health crisis has been one of my top priorities, and knowing that the Latino community can face higher rates of mental health challenges, I’m especially proud to recognize bilingual professionals who are making a real difference and reminding anyone in need of help that they are never alone.”
The honored professionals represented organizations including Astor Services, BronxWorks, Coalition for Children and Families, Comunilife, and West Islip Youth Enrichment Services. The recognition is part of ongoing efforts by the Governor to increase access to mental health services in underserved areas.
Recent initiatives under Governor Hochul’s administration include significant investment in mental health infrastructure. New York was recently ranked first nationally for its mental health system based on federal data from 2022 and 2023. Since taking office, Governor Hochul has overseen the addition of nearly 1,000 psychiatric beds statewide—610 at community-based hospitals—and led the largest expansion of inpatient capacity at state-operated psychiatric centers.
The FY26 budget includes funding for new Youth Safe Spaces offering support for young people and expanded Teen Mental Health First Aid training programs for high school students and adults working with teens. Nearly 1,200 school-based mental health clinics now operate across about a quarter of public schools in New York State.
To address suicide risk among youth from underserved populations, $15 million over five years has been allocated through the Connecting Youth to Mental Health Supports program. This funding will support suicide prevention strategies among racial and ethnic minority groups and LGBTQ+ youth.
The Community Mental Health Loan Repayment Program has committed around $45 million annually toward loan repayment for over 1,400 mental health professionals. There are set-asides for clinicians from underrepresented backgrounds or those providing language-accessible services.
Workforce diversity efforts continue through partnerships between New York’s Office of Mental Health and SUNY/CUNY campuses that offer tuition assistance, paid internships, and stipends for underrepresented or multilingual students entering mental health degree programs.
The state has also increased access to specialized housing with more than 1,200 new units associated with mental health initiatives already available and another 2,200 units under development. These units include supportive housing options designed for individuals living with mental illness.
Expansion of the Safe Options Support program has resulted in permanent housing placements for over 1,400 individuals since its launch in spring 2022. SOS teams now operate throughout New York City’s boroughs as well as Long Island counties and additional regions statewide.
Representative Adriano Espaillat said, “I commend Governor Hochul on today’s announcement to fund innovative programs to help reduce suicide risk among young people from marginalized communities. Together, we are continuing our collective efforts to address mental health disparities among minority populations, remove barriers that families face when seeking help, and ensure these critical health resources are accessible for all.”
Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie added praise: “Providing mental health services is crucial, particularly in areas that serve at-risk populations. Bilingual mental health providers not only meet a pressing need but also enable their clients to feel at home while speaking their native language, alleviating the already challenging process of seeking assistance. Congratulations to all the honorees for your hard work and dedication in this demanding field, your contributions are truly remarkable. I would also like to extend a special congratulations to Carmen Torres, MPS, and Denize Da Silva-Siegel,MD,MS, of Astor Services for their unwavering support in delivering necessary resources to the Northeast Bronx Community, a place I call home.”
State Senator Robert Jackson emphasized language access: “Language is not just a tool of communication—it is a vessel of care, culture, and connection. For generations too many New Yorkers have suffered in silence because mental health care did not speak their language or understand their story. Today’s recognition of bilingual mental health professionals is a recognition of dignity itself: the right to be heard… When we invest in bilingual care we invest in justice—because equity in mental health is equity in humanity.”
Other lawmakers echoed these sentiments about accessibility and cultural competence within behavioral healthcare.
Profiles were shared about each honored organization:
– Astor Services provides children’s mental health services primarily in Mid-Hudson Valley region and Bronx.
– BronxWorks addresses economic/social needs including housing/employment; about 60% served identify as Latino.
– Comunilife delivers housing/supportive services focused on vulnerable populations; it assisted over 4,000 low-income/homeless residents last year.
– West Islip YES offers outpatient rehabilitation/mental health promotion mainly within Suffolk County.
– Coalition for Hispanic Family Services focuses on comprehensive family needs within NYC’s Latino communities through bilingual staff/foster care/prevention programs.
Guillaume Kientz from the Hispanic Society Museum & Library said: “The Hispanic Society is honored to welcome Governor Kathy Hochul… As the leading institution dedicated to preserving art/artifacts from over 32 countries… we are thrilled to join in celebrating our vibrant cultures…”
The event underscored ongoing efforts by New York State leadership to bridge gaps faced by historically underserved communities regarding access to behavioral healthcare.
