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New York State Office of Mental Health
The Office of Mental Health (OMH) is an agency of the New York state government responsible for assuring the development of comprehensive plans, programs, and services in the areas of research, prevention, and care, treatment, rehabilitation, education, and training of the mentally ill. It is part of the pro forma Department of Mental Hygiene along with the Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) and Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD).
The majority of the public mental health system is in voluntary outpatient programs, the largest and most used being clinic treatment services. Inpatient care is provided mainly by homeless shelters, supplemented by the general hospital network, jails, and state psychiatric centers. 45–57% of New York mental health consumers use Medicaid, which is the largest single source of funding.
More psychiatric emergencies are being pushed into emergency departments where many patients are "boarded" (held after a decision to admit/transfer) for hours to days. Comprehensive psychiatric emergency programs (CPEPs) are meant to provide a single entry point for psychiatric emergencies, including crisis intervention in an emergency room setting, mobile crisis outreach, crisis residence beds, extended observation beds (up to 72 hours), and triage/referral.
As of February 2025[update], OMH reported 9,251 inpatient psychiatric beds statewide—including 4,902 beds in general hospitals—amid a ~10.5% decline in total capacity since 2014.
OMH regulates and licenses private mental health services, such private psychiatric centers, clinics, and treatment facilities, including those in hospitals and schools.[citation needed] OMH also regulates residential treatment facilities for children and youth operated by nonprofit corporations. Programs include inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization, day care, emergency, and rehabilitative treatments and services.
All mental health clinics must obtain an operating certificate from OMH to legally operate. OMH uses a certificate of need (CON) process for prior review of proposed programs, and inspects and certifies existing programs on a regular basis.
The commissioner of OMH and directors of inpatient facilities may designate safety officers to maintain order and protect patients, grounds, and buildings. These safety officers act as special officers and possess limtied peace officers authority while performing duties and OMH Special Officers are prohibited by New York State Law (Criminal Procedure Law) and employee restriction to carry a firearm.[citation needed] They may issue appearance tickets for offenses other than felonies. Additionally, the commissioner must implement a comprehensive training program for safety officers within five weeks of hiring, including fire prevention, basic criminal law, first aid and CPR, investigations, proper use of restraint, and any other necessary training.
The New York State Incident Management and Reporting System (NIMRS) is used by providers for reportable incidents, and the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs has the responsibility to track, prevent, investigate, and prosecute reports of abuse and neglect of vulnerable persons.
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New York State Office of Mental Health
The Office of Mental Health (OMH) is an agency of the New York state government responsible for assuring the development of comprehensive plans, programs, and services in the areas of research, prevention, and care, treatment, rehabilitation, education, and training of the mentally ill. It is part of the pro forma Department of Mental Hygiene along with the Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) and Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD).
The majority of the public mental health system is in voluntary outpatient programs, the largest and most used being clinic treatment services. Inpatient care is provided mainly by homeless shelters, supplemented by the general hospital network, jails, and state psychiatric centers. 45–57% of New York mental health consumers use Medicaid, which is the largest single source of funding.
More psychiatric emergencies are being pushed into emergency departments where many patients are "boarded" (held after a decision to admit/transfer) for hours to days. Comprehensive psychiatric emergency programs (CPEPs) are meant to provide a single entry point for psychiatric emergencies, including crisis intervention in an emergency room setting, mobile crisis outreach, crisis residence beds, extended observation beds (up to 72 hours), and triage/referral.
As of February 2025[update], OMH reported 9,251 inpatient psychiatric beds statewide—including 4,902 beds in general hospitals—amid a ~10.5% decline in total capacity since 2014.
OMH regulates and licenses private mental health services, such private psychiatric centers, clinics, and treatment facilities, including those in hospitals and schools.[citation needed] OMH also regulates residential treatment facilities for children and youth operated by nonprofit corporations. Programs include inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization, day care, emergency, and rehabilitative treatments and services.
All mental health clinics must obtain an operating certificate from OMH to legally operate. OMH uses a certificate of need (CON) process for prior review of proposed programs, and inspects and certifies existing programs on a regular basis.
The commissioner of OMH and directors of inpatient facilities may designate safety officers to maintain order and protect patients, grounds, and buildings. These safety officers act as special officers and possess limtied peace officers authority while performing duties and OMH Special Officers are prohibited by New York State Law (Criminal Procedure Law) and employee restriction to carry a firearm.[citation needed] They may issue appearance tickets for offenses other than felonies. Additionally, the commissioner must implement a comprehensive training program for safety officers within five weeks of hiring, including fire prevention, basic criminal law, first aid and CPR, investigations, proper use of restraint, and any other necessary training.
The New York State Incident Management and Reporting System (NIMRS) is used by providers for reportable incidents, and the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs has the responsibility to track, prevent, investigate, and prosecute reports of abuse and neglect of vulnerable persons.