NYC Has an Abundance of Therapists. So Why Ar... %%page%% %%sep%% %%sitename%%

New York City has one of the highest amounts of therapists per capita in the United States. Compared to Nevada, which has only about 5 psychiatrists per 100,000 people, New York City has as many as 30.

Despite the relatively high number of therapists in the country, the state of mental health seems to be worsening and has been doing so for quite some time. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the reasons that mental health his worsening in New York City.

Decisions Made by the State

One of the first things to know is that many of the decisions regarding the mental health facilities available to people in New York City aren’t made by the local city hall; they’re made by the State. And the State is not known for making fantastic decisions.

One decision that was made fairly recently by Governor Andrew Cuomo demanded the closing of unnecessary beds in psychiatric facilities. The funds that would be saved from eliminating these beds were to be redirected into community funds – however, these beds may still be needed by patients.

This is a crisis situation, especially considering the fact that there are so many mentally unwell people in need of help living on the streets of New York. Add in the fact that only 39% of people in NYC with a serious mental health issue get treated for their illness, and this could be deemed as much worse than a ‘crisis’. Instead of being treated by psychiatrists, they are often arrested by police, ignored by passers-by, and left to their own devices. Some 40% of the homeless people in NYC are believed to be extremely mentally unhealthy.

The only services that are really offered to these people are mental health shelters. Unfortunately, since the inpatient care system for mental health patients was effectively dismantled several years ago, many of the severely mentally ill people who are in need of long-term treatment are unable to get it.

The Rest of the Population

It’s not just the city’s homeless people that struggle with mental health problems, though they may be the most visible. About one in five New York citizens struggle with some sort of mental health disorder, and about 8% of the total population struggle from depressive symptoms.

That means that there are about half a million New Yorkers struggling with depression at any given time. Unfortunately, less than 40% of these people are getting help for their problems. This is currently the leading cause of disability amongst the non-homeless population in New York.

Statistics are pretty bad among all different populations, especially students. 8% of students attending public school say that they’ve tried to commit suicide at some point, and almost 100,000 students say that they feel hopeless every month.

College students don’t seem to have worked through these problems, either. Just over a quarter of college students report experiencing anxiety, and just under 20% regularly have depressive symptoms. Just 1 in 10 of these people seeking help for their problems.

Conclusion – What Can We Do?

The mental health situation in New York is getting worse, and not for lack of resources. If you think that you’re struggling with a mental health problem, the best thing that you can do is seek therapy.

If a therapist is not available, or if you’re wary about seeking a therapist, then you should educate yourself. There is no harm in pursuing your own education about possible mental health problems, and doing so can help you understand these conditions and work through them on your own.

Practicing meditation, exercising, and getting enough sleep every night are other good ways to keep your mental health in check.

If you believe that your mental health could be improved, don’t hesitate to seek a therapist.

1-REX-PERELMAN-PERFORMING-ARTS-CENTER-SOUTHEAST+DAY+150

Scheduled to open in 2020, The Ronald O. Perelman Performing Arts Center will serve as a vital cultural hub, bringing three flexible performance venues and community programming to Lower Manhattan.

Yesterday, the board of directors of the Perelman Center and President & Director Maggie Boepple unveiled the design for the new performing arts center, located at the World Trade Center site. The Perelman Center will produce and premiere theater, dance, music, film, opera, and multidisciplinary works while offering a range of amenities for visitors and residents in the Lower Manhattan community.

In addition to its design plans, The Perelman Center’s board of directors also announced the organization’s newly-elected Chairperson: Brooklyn native Barbra Streisand. Ms. Streisand will take her place at the helm of The Perelman Center’s board effective immediately, joining a number of respected leaders in business, culture, and government from New York City and beyond.

Designed by New York-based REX, the concept for The Perelman Center is inspired by the Center’s mission to defy experiential expectations. Its design cues were taken from The Perelman Center’s aim to foster artistic risk, incubate original productions, provide unparalleled flexibility, and deliver the most technologically-advanced and digitally-connected spaces for creative performance.

“Today the World Trade Center site stands as a monument to our nation’s ability to prevail in its darkest hour,” Governor Andrew Cuomo said. “The Perelman Performing Arts Center will highlight the values that make New York exceptional — the celebration of diverse cultures from every corner of the globe. This Center will help complete the renewal of Lower Manhattan and, on behalf of all New Yorkers, I welcome this institution and thank those who are working to make this vision a reality.

“REX’s bold, elegant exterior, and ingenious interior demonstrate a deep understanding of the very specific needs of this performing arts house,” said Maggie Boepple. “Coupled with theater consultants Charcoalblue, REX has, from the inside out, designed and created brilliant solutions for this exciting project.” Joshua Prince-Ramus, Principal of REX, said, “The Perelman Center is an immensely flexible canvas on which directors can script the patrons’ entire experience from their very entrance into the building. It is a ‘mystery box,’ a constant source of surprise for theatergoers and the community. We are honored to be involved with such an important project on such an important site.”

Considered the final piece of the World Trade Center master plan, the performing arts center has — for over a decade — been part of the vision for the renewed World Trade Center site, and today’s announcement is the result of the continued efforts of key officials on the local, state, and federal levels. It is one of several milestones in recent months, including a $75 million gift from board member and benefactor, Ronald O. Perelman, that signify strong forward movement for the long-awaited project.

Larry Silverstein, Chairman of Silverstein Properties and Interim Board Chair said, “The World Trade Center master plan successfully balanced the site’s commemorative function with the need to recreate a vibrant neighborhood reflecting the energy and humanity of New York City. The Performing Arts Center is an integral part of that plan.”