Mayor Zoran Mamdani unveiled two new mental health clinics for the youth of New York City on Thursday, in an event where he mingled with some Democratic colleagues and rivals.
Funded by a $4 million contribution from MetroPlusHealth, these clinics are designed to offer behavioral and reproductive health services to young individuals aged 16 to 25.
“We’re essentially discussing the well-being of young New Yorkers who may hesitate to seek help or lack necessary medical services,” Mamdani explained.
He further noted that as young people transition into adulthood, their lives and priorities are bound to shift. This was stated during a press conference at one of the new clinics located at Woodhull Hospital in Brooklyn.
The clinic, branded as “Elevate You,” was established in light of a significant statistic: about 90% of young individuals discontinue seeing a mental health professional after they turn 21, as Mamdani’s team highlighted in a press announcement.
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Woodhull facility, a variety of politicians were present, including City Councilman Chi Osse (D-36) and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso—both of whom have had their differences since last November’s election.
Interestingly, just a week prior, Mamdani stirred some controversy by endorsing Democratic Socialist candidate Claire Valdez (D-37) to succeed retiring Congresswoman Nydia Velasquez (D-12), despite Reynoso being the one who secured that coveted district seat.
The mayor also had a reported disagreement with Osse over his refusal to support a leftist City Council candidate in the primary against moderate House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-8).
Mamdani emphasized that aside from medical care, the new facility will also provide vocational support, aiding young individuals with university admissions and career planning. Moreover, students will start engaging with care teams from the age of 16 and continue up until they turn 25.
The Elevate You Clinic is set to launch at NYC Health + Hospitals’ Woodhull and Queens locations.
