New York City Mayor Eric Adams and NYC Health + Hospitals announced the launch on Sunday, July 24, of a new student loan forgiveness program for behavioral health providers, funded by a $1 million contribution from an anonymous donor. The new program is designed to help attract and retain doctors, nurse practitioners, and other clinicians who care for New Yorkers with mental health or substance use needs as the U.S. faces a national mental health professional shortage.

 

“The behavioral health professionals in our public health system work tirelessly to support the most vulnerable New Yorkers living with mental illness and alcohol and substance use disorders,” said Adams during a press conference at an NYC Health + Hospitals Harlem location. He added that too often, health care workers graduate with crippling debt and have no choice but to work in the private sector to pay off their bills.

 

The mayor continued, “Especially at a time when the nation is facing a shortage of these lifesaving practitioners, and simultaneously facing an increased need for these professional due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this loan forgiveness program will help us attract and retain top talent to continue serving New Yorkers across the city. I’m grateful to the anonymous donor for this generous donation, and I encourage other businesses and individuals to chip in if they are able to support this important cause.”

 

NYC Health + Hospitals will offer psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, psychologists, and licensed clinical social workers between $30,000 and $50,000 of debt relief in exchange for a three-year commitment to serve the public health system.

 

In the context of the announcement, NYC Health + Hospitals president and CEO, Mitchell Katz MD, said, “As we continue to see an increasing number of New Yorkers struggling with mental health and substance use disorder, the essential services of our behavioral health team are needed more than ever. This donation will allow us to recruit and retain extraordinary clinicians to help address the ongoing mental health crisis.”

 

NYC Health + Hospitals officials said the public hospital system provides about half of all behavioral health services for children and adults in New York City. The loan forgiveness program will be available to eligible employees and new hires for the next year or until the $1 million donation has been distributed.

 

Adriana Rodriguez-Boseman is a clinical social worker at NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, Roberto Clemente Center and said since very early in her educational trajectory, she stumbled upon a quote that read, ‘Do what you love, and you will never work a day in your life.’ “This has been true to me, as my career as a clinical social worker with NYC Health + Hospitals has allowed me to fulfill my career objectives and gain tremendous pride in doing that as a public servant in my own city,” she said. “However, the cost of these professional goals has come with a steep price tag. The future is always uncertain, but loan forgiveness will make these dreams a reality.”

 

Meanwhile, Dr. Charles Barron, deputy chief medical officer at the Office of Behavioral Health, NYC Health + Hospitals, said, “This loan forgiveness program is a great way to invest in our mental health workforce. With less debt to worry about, our mental health teams can focus on doing what they do best: providing high-quality mental health support to New Yorkers.”

 

Early-career psychiatrists have on average $190,000 of medical school debt, psychiatric nurse practitioners have on average $56,000 of debt, social workers have on average $68,000 of debt, and psychologists have on average $80,000 of debt.

 

The news was also welcomed by New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan. “The nationwide shortage of health care workers has impacted facilities and providers all across the country, at a time when the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the need for services,” she said.

 

“The anonymous donation announced today by Mayor Adams and NYC Health + Hospitals’ CEO Mitch Katz will help NYC Health + Hospitals recruit and retain behavioral health professionals, which is very good news for the people of New York City. Congratulations to Dr. Katz, and my sincere thanks to very generous anonymous donor.”

 

As part of the largest municipal health care system in the nation, NYC Health + Hospitals’ public hospitals and neighborhood health centers offer a wide variety of excellent mental health services to foster recovery from mental illness of all kinds. Additionally, NYC Health + Hospitals provides the highest-quality alcohol and substance use recovery programs as part of its behavioral and mental health services, with personalized, caring treatment plans that are effective for each patient.

 

Dan H. Gillison Jr., CEO of the National Alliance on Mental Illness said if the country wants to meet the increased need for mental health services, particularly for underserved communities, society must talk about workforce development. “Loan repayment can help lift the financial burden of mental health professionals, who are already at high risk for burnout, and create more opportunities for people from historically underrepresented communities to join the workforce,” he said.

 

“We applaud these efforts to increase the pipeline of practitioners and address the urgent mental health needs our communities are facing. If we want more mental health services, we must invest in the people who provide them.”

 

In other health-related news, amid the current heatwave, the mayor said on Sunday, “We’re not seeing a medical crisis because of the heat. People are taking the notice [heat advisory] seriously.” He added that one heat-related death has been reported.

 

Meanwhile, the National Weather Service announced on Saturday night that the prevailing heat and humidity will continue into Monday, July 25, with near record high temperatures possible on Sunday. “A cold front will bring thunderstorms from late Sunday into Monday, and eventually also relief from the heat and humidity later this upcoming week,” a NWS spokesperson said.

 

Meanwhile, applications for student loan forgiveness for eligible candidates will be open with effect from Monday, July 25, and New Yorkers can also support this effort by donating directly to NYC Health and Hospitals.

 

New Yorkers in need of support for mental health or substance use can call 844-NYC-4NYC for an appointment at NYC Health + Hospitals or contact NYC Well online.