New York

The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) houses the Suicide Prevention Center of New York (SPCNY) and is tasked with developing suicide prevention plans, programs, and services as well as advancing research and prevention efforts(§ 7.07 (g)). OMH SPCNY is also responsible for periodically reviewing state suicide prevention programs to ensure that the needs of individuals at risk of suicide are being met (§ 7.07 (h)). OMH also leads several grant-funded projects such as the ‘MISSION’ project, a 5-year initiative to strengthen school-based suicide prevention in State Island. In 2025, OMH SPCNY, with contributions from AFSP-New York chapters, released the most recent suicide prevention plan, 1,700 Too Many: New York State’s Strategy for Suicide Prevention 2026-2030, with three guiding themes: (1) advance suicide prevention for populations at higher or rising risk through effective data; (2) center the voices of those with lived experience to ensure efforts are relevant and accessible; and (3) apply innovative research methods and data sources to strengthen accuracy and impact. The plan was developed in collaboration with the New York State Suicide Prevention Council, including AFSP-New York chapters, which serves as an advisory board to OMH SPCNY.

In 2017, the Governor initiated the New York State Suicide Prevention Task Force, through the 2017 State of the State Address, to enhance the efforts of the New York State Suicide Prevention Plan by (1) examining current programs, services, and policies related to suicide prevention and identifying gaps, and (2) making recommendations to facilitate greater access, awareness, collaboration, and support of effective suicide prevention activities. In 2019, the Task Force released the Communities United for a Suicide Free New York report with their recommendations. In 2020, former Governor Cuomo, through the 2020 State of the State Address, directed OMH to establish a committee of veterans, military, law enforcement, corrections officers, EMS and firefighters, to address suicide prevention among this high-risk population. Most recently, Governor Kathy Hochul proclaimed May as Mental Health Awareness Month and September as Suicide Prevention Month in the State of New York. Governor Hochul also announced $2 million to support suicide prevention efforts for veterans and uniformed personnel.