According to an article by New York Focus, thousands of people across New York state are facing long waitlists for two major state-funded, community-based mental health programs — supportive housing and Assertive Community Treatment (ACT). In Sullivan County, every resident who applied for supportive housing programs in 2022, 2023 and 2024 were placed on waitlists of up to a couple of years. The backlog in these voluntary programs comes as Governor Kathy Hochul recently expanded involuntary commitment for people with mental health issues in the latest state budget, opening the door for a potential increase in the forcible hospitalization of those suffering from mental health-related challenges amid fears for public safety. 

Radio Catskill’s Julia Kim had the chance to speak to Luke Sikinyi, Director of Policy at the Alliance of Rights and Recovery, a statewide nonprofit dedicated to mental health advocacy, about why New Yorkers are having to face these long waitlists and the main issues advocates have with the expansion of involuntary commitment. In addition, Kim also spoke to members of the Hudson Valley Clubhouse — a community-based program located in Poughkeepsie that connects people dealing with mental health issues to critical resources — including executive director Blaise Sackett, program director Sarah Santos and member William Dlugozima on the importance of community-centered models like the clubhouse in supporting recovery.