ThriveNYC and N.Y. Public Library announce mental health partnership coming to Mariners Harbor – SILive.com

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A mental health partnership between City Hall and the New York Public Library will offer library visitors access to workshops and other services, according to a Thursday media release from City Hall.

The Mariners Harbor branch of the library will be one of 13 where the partnership with ThriveNYC, City Halls mental health initiative led by First Lady Chirlane McCray, will be available.

We created ThriveNYC to help reach people with mental health services wherever they are, and today, were serving New Yorkers in schools, senior centers, shelters, and police precinct, McCray said in the media release.

Libraries are in the heart of our communities, and we are honored to partner with an institution that has provided New Yorkers with free, accessible programming for 100 years.

Visitors will have access to on-site mental health workshops held by agencies like the city Department of Health and Mental Hygiene on things like suicide prevention, mental health first aid, and social-emotional learning.

A book shelf dedicated to mental health, and information about free services offered by Thrive will also be available at the libraries. There will be a public campaign to raise awareness about the new resources, according to the release.

The Mariners Harbor branch of the library at 206 South Ave., like the other 12 chosen to launch the project, sits within a federally designated mental health shortage area, and was selected with input from local librarians.

Anthony W. Marx, president of The New York Public Library, said in Thursdays media release that the citys libraries have long played a roll in community wellness.

This partnership with ThriveNYC is just the latest example of how we can bring reliable, important information to our communities, and work with our partners in government to support and strengthen the people of New York City, he said.

Thrive has long been a target for criticism due to its $850 million budget over five years, and lack of tangible results. The city announced an expansion to its mental health policies in late October following a series of reviews criticizing City Halls approach to the issues.

Comptroller Scott Stringer, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, and even Mayor Bill de Blasios office found the city was falling short in its push to better care for the mentally ill.

The mayors office found Thrive had trained only 50,564 in its mental health first aid in fiscal year 2019, but had a set goal of 72,000.

City Councilman Joe Borelli (R-South Shore) had his own controversy with the program in August after it pulled out of an event focused on police officer mental health in relation to the spate of officer suicides seen in 2019.

Borellis office said Thrive pulled out because of the involvement of the pro-police group Blue Lives Matter. City Hall denied those allegations.

City Halls expansion announced in late October includes a $37 million increase in funding, the creation of an NYPD Behavioral Health Unit, and an enhanced effort to engage those at risk of a mental health crisis before it occurs.

Susan Herman, director of the mayors office of ThriveNYC, said in the Thursday release that Thrive exists to fill gaps in the mental health system, and that the chosen library branches exist in neighborhoods where services are hard to come by.

Thats why were here, putting books and programs in neighborhoods where theyll make a real difference, she said.

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ThriveNYC and N.Y. Public Library announce mental health partnership coming to Mariners Harbor - SILive.com