New York, NY - TODAY, Mayor Zohran Mamdani joined NYC Health + Hospitals and MetroPlusHealth to announce the launch of two new clinics to provide comprehensive healthcare to young people ages 16 to 25 years old at NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull and Queens.
Supported by $4 million from MetroPlusHealth, the clinics will aim to keep youth engaged in care as they age out of pediatric care, reduce emergency room visits, and improve long-term health outcomes. According to MetroPlusHealth claims data, nearly 90% of youth stop seeing their mental health provider after they turn 21. The new Elevate You clinics will provide behavioral health care, primary care, reproductive care, vocational support, and social support services from a consistent care team. The program's multidisciplinary treatment team includes a social worker, psychiatrist, nurse, youth peer, and family advocate.
"If we want young New Yorkers to chase their dreams here, we have to make it clear that their struggles are not just their own," said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. "Access to consistent, high-quality health care is not optional-it's essential, and our City is showing that. These new youth clinics will support young people as they move into adulthood and are just one example of a city government that is on their side, every step of the way."
"I'm so excited to be here building a healthier city, and a healthier generation, with our amazing partners. This announcement gets to the heart of the work of our administration and the work that the mayor is committed to -- treating every New Yorker, even our young ones, with dignity and the respect that they deserve, ensuring that we are addressing every issue at the root cause," said Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services Helen Arteaga.
"The transition to adulthood can be challenging for anyone, and we found our teenage patients disconnecting from behavioral health services as they aged out of pediatric care," said NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Mitchell Katz, MD. "Today's two new Elevate You clinics are bright, comfortable spaces for our teenage patients to get the care they need and build the skills to enter the next stage of their lives. We are deeply grateful to our colleagues at MetroPlusHealth for their vision and support for this initiative."
"Addressing the youth mental health crisis includes making sure that our young people stay connected to behavioral health care and supportive resources as they enter adulthood," said Omar Fattal, MD, MPH, Chief of Behavioral Health Services at NYC Health + Hospitals. "This is why we are dedicated to developing innovative programs like the Elevate You clinics that provide essential mental health treatment to young people as they navigate the transition to adulthood. This support is especially crucial for vulnerable populations, such as those aging out of foster care, by addressing common challenges like housing instability, employment difficulties, and mental health concerns."
"We are proud of the tremendous growth of our Behavioral Health Service over the last few years, and we are excited to take the next step in addressing the needs of the communities we serve in North Brooklyn," said Dr. Ross MacDonald, Chief Medical Officer, NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull. "Transitional age youth are at a critical point in their lives, and we're dedicated to building healing relationships with that change lives for the better."
"MetroPlusHealth is committed to investing in the future of our city's youth-building continuity, fostering safety, and inspiring hope during one of the most pivotal stages of human development," said Talya Schwartz, MD, President and Chief Executive Officer of MetroPlusHealth. "As a mother, pediatrician, and leader, I am honored to be part of an initiative that stands beside our children as they grow. This is about more than care-it's about connection, stability, and the belief that every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive."
"We're incredibly proud to champion these spaces where young people feel safe, respected, and supported-because that's what they need to stay in care," said Karen Lenard, Vice President of Behavioral Health at MetroPlusHealth. "Too often, teens lose the support to access to mental health services just as life starts to get more complicated. This program helps them stay connected to the same care team, in a place that feels familiar, while they navigate school, relationships, work, and growing up."
"The Elevate You clinics are designed to break the cycle of disengagement in mental health services for our youth in Southeast Queens," said Neil J. Moore, MBA, MPA, FACHE, Chief Executive Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens. "By focusing on comprehensive care that includes behavioral health, vocational support, and life skills training, we are addressing the unique challenges faced by young people in this community. Our commitment is to empower these youth to make informed decisions and build a healthier future as they transition into adulthood."
"This program is a game-changer for the youth we serve," said Dr. John Navas, Chief of Psychiatry at NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens. "The Elevate You clinics provide not only mental health support but also a safe environment where young individuals can gain essential life skills and support networks. In neighborhoods like Southeast Queens, where access to resources is often limited, our goal is to help these young people thrive by ensuring they have the tools, guidance, and care they need to make positive choices that impact their futures."
"Elevate You is redefining behavioral health by removing age-based hurdles to care," said Eva Sanders, LCSW, CCM, Associate Executive Director, Behavioral Health, NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull. "With this program, NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull patients are supported with services that honor the real-life social and emotional complexities 16-24-year-olds experience as they grow into adulthood."
"On behalf of the NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull Behavioral Health Ambulatory Service, I am very excited with the opening of the Elevate You program," said Maria Chona P. San Gabriel, MD, DFAPA, Deputy Chief of Psychiatry (Behavioral Health Ambulatory Services), NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull. "This program bridges the gap between youth-focused care and adulthood, empowering and supporting young individuals in optimizing their skills and potentials for independent adult life. It showcases our team's commitment and passion in providing excellent clinical care and service to our community."
Key components of the Elevate You clinics include:
- Whole Health Support: Services include coordination for mental health, physical health, reproductive care, and preventive services tailored to youth.
- Consistent Care Teams: Teens begin working with a dedicated team at age 16 that stays with them through age 25.
- Life Skills and Goals: Vocational and educational resources to help youth pursue college, careers, and independence.
- Youth-Friendly Clinics: Spaces have been updated to create welcoming environments with hangout areas and meeting rooms designed especially for young adults.
Today's announcement builds on several programs to address youth mental health, including 16 School-Based Mental Health Clinics which offer on-site clinical treatment directly in school buildings and the Mental Health Continuum Program which connects students from 50 New York City public schools to timely mental health care.
The Elevate You clinics also align with New York City's 2024 State of Mental Health report, which called for urgent reforms in youth transitions and highlighted deep inequities in care access.
NYC Health + Hospitals serves approximately 8,000 children and adolescents each year through inpatient and outpatient behavioral health services at its hospitals, community mental health clinics, and innovative mental health programs in schools and in the community. NYC Health + Hospitals continues to enhance its mental health services for children and adolescents, addressing critical gaps in crisis intervention, outpatient care, and school-based support.
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest provider of behavioral health in New York City. The system provides over 60% of behavioral health services citywide serving nearly 80,000 patients annually across emergency, inpatient, and outpatient care.
