Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the opening of a new 21-bed inpatient psychiatric facility for youth at the New York City Children’s Center campus in the Bronx. The facility, operated by Montefiore Medical Center and funded by the state, is part of an ongoing effort to expand mental health services for young people across New York.
“We are committed to increasing options for families that need access to intensive behavioral health services and more importantly, to providing top-notch care to all children who experience serious mental illness,” Governor Hochul said. “Montefiore Einstein’s state-of-the-art Center for Children’s Mental Health represents the strong partnership we have with our community-based hospitals, and our ongoing commitment to providing the best possible care for our youth and support for their families.”
The new unit is located at 1300 Waters Place on the Bronx campus of the New York City Children’s Center. It will serve youth between ages 5 and 17 who are experiencing severe behavioral health conditions such as depression, anxiety, trauma, suicidal thoughts, psychosis, and other acute psychiatric issues.
With this addition, Governor Hochul has overseen an increase of 1,000 psychiatric inpatient beds statewide since taking office. In the Bronx alone, there are now 89 beds serving children—a nearly 31 percent increase in capacity for youth inpatient care in the borough.
Funding for the center came from several sources: a $3.1 million capital grant from the Office of Mental Health (OMH), $7 million from New York State’s Behavioral Health Centers of Excellence Fund, a $6 million capital appropriation from Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Michael Benedetto, private donations received by Montefiore Einstein, and additional support from state Attorney General Letitia James.
The facility was developed with input from young patients and was located in the Bronx due to high community need; about 21 percent of children aged five to seventeen in the borough have a diagnosed behavioral health disorder. The center aims to improve continuity of care for local patients and outpatient treatment while also developing a workforce pipeline including social workers, nurses, psychologists, psychiatrists, and offering training opportunities for medical students.
New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan stated: “New York State is strongly committed to helping children and young people recover from mental illness so they can live and thrive in their community. Montefiore Einstein’s project is adding much-needed inpatient capacity to the Bronx, which will complement the many outpatient services and supports we are expanding throughout this area. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, we are expanding beds and strengthening our network of care to provide high-quality services for our children and families in the Bronx.”
New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald added: “This new facility, operated by Montefiore Medical Center, will improve mental health outcomes, ultimately leading to improved overall health outcomes. Governor Hochul has once again demonstrated her deep commitment to supporting our community-based hospitals and facilities to ensure they have capacity to continue to provide high quality care in the communities they serve.”
State Senator Gustavo Rivera commented: “I want to thank Governor Hochul and her administration for partnering with Montefiore Medical Center to open this brand new youth focused inpatient psychiatric facility in The Bronx. This unit will help countless young Bronxites with complex behavioral health needs by providing them with treatment and other mental health services. As we navigate a very uncertain landscape when it comes to healthcare, our State must make these investments in our system to ensure communities can access all the care they need.”
State Senator Nathalia Fernandez said: “No young person should ever struggle with mental health in silence. The opening of this new children’s mental health facility gives families in the Bronx a place where care is compassionate, treatment is effective, and support is always within reach. This center offers hope to young people and families facing their toughest moments and reminds them they are not alone. At a time when the pressures of modern life and constant connectivity weigh heavily on our kids, this investment is a thoughtful and timely response to the mental health challenges so many families are navigating.”
Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie stated: “Adolescent mental health is a pressing concern in our city. This announcement of a children’s mental health facility in the Bronx is a much needed resource for a community vulnerable to conditions like anxiety, depression, and many others. I would like to thank Governor Kathy Hochul for her continued attention to the community’s needs and the establishment of programs and institutions focused on the overall well being of our youth. Protecting the mental health of young people is an investment that demands the time and effort of all stakeholders – like government, non profits, and healthcare providers. Thank you to Montefiore Health for your partnership and commitment to the Bronx.”
Assemblymember Jeffrey Dinowitz said: “Governor Hochul and New York State elected officials have prioritized expanding mental health services for our youth once again. The opening of this 21-bed center in the Bronx marks an important investment in the well-being of our children and families. This new facility will expand access to life-saving treatment and ensure that young people facing serious behavioral health challenges receive the compassionate, comprehensive, and timely care they deserve. Addressing the mental health needs of all New Yorkers is the only way our great state can succeed and this new facility in the Bronx is a necessary step towards that.”
Assemblymember Michael Benedetto added: “For too long Bronx families have faced limited options when their children are facing mental health crises. This new inpatient center from Montefiore Einstein will change that reality by giving our young people a place to heal, recover, and be supported by experts who understand their needs. I’m deeply thankful to Montefiore for its leadership and honored to have worked with Speaker Heastie and Governor Hochul to secure this project which represents a major step forward in making youth mental health care more accessible and equitable.”
Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon said: “This new youth inpatient facility will provide compassionate care for young people experiencing mental health challenges. By expanding inpatient capacity in the Bronx we are strengthening continuum of care ensuring children receive support they need within their communities I commend Governor Hochul continued dedication building stronger more responsive system”
Governor Hochul has directed significant increases in both inpatient capacity at state-operated psychiatric centers—the largest expansion seen in decades—and outpatient programs aimed at supporting individuals during recovery.
Her $1 billion initiative along with additional funding through subsequent budgets has expanded access across multiple levels—from residential treatment facilities like this one https://www.youtube.com/embed/9UN263e8fWU , as well as school-based clinics now numbering over 1,265 satellites statewide (including 50 operating within schools across Bronx). OMH also funds Youth Assertive Community Treatment teams—two active teams currently serve or plan service delivery specifically within borough—while Home Based Crisis Intervention teams work intensively with local families helping maintain stability at home; two such teams have served about 200 families so far this year.
These efforts reflect an ongoing strategy aimed at addressing growing demand among young New Yorkers needing specialized behavioral healthcare.
