JAMESTOWN — Among the areas Jamestown officials are asking for more state assistance is mental health treatment beds.
City officials said there is only one mental health evaluation facility in Chautauqua County. While it’s located in Jamestown, the facility serves the entire county as well as Cattaraugus and Erie county residents. City officials said in a news release released late Thursday afternoon that many individuals find themselves stuck in Jamestown without a way to get back home after their evaluation is done here – one reason why the number of homeless in Jamestown has been increasing over the past couple of years.
“The city has been actively pushing for the establishment of more mental health evaluation centers throughout Western New York to address this issue more effectively and provide crucial support to those in need,” city officials said. “In collaboration with UPMC Chautauqua, the city of Jamestown is urging the governor to assess the need for an additional 939 facility in Western New York or a neighboring county.”
A 939 facility is a reference to state Mental Hygiene Law Section 939, which permits the involuntary commitment of individuals with mental health conditions who are deemed a danger to themselves or others. City officials say people are often brought to Jamestown under Section 939, as well as state Mental Hygiene Law sections 941 and 945. There are at times 100 such transports to UPMC Chautauqua from throughout Western New York.
In addition to overwhelming UPMC Chautauqua, according to city officials, those being treated are too often released without adequate follow-up care or means to return to their original locations.
“This practice frequently leaves them stranded in Jamestown, lacking the support needed to reintegrate into society or address their mental health needs,” city officials said. “Consequently, many individuals join the growing encampment population, further straining the city’s resources and complicating efforts to manage the crisis. This situation not only increases the burden on the city but also fails to provide the critical care and treatment these individuals urgently need. The lack of sufficient hospital capacity and mental health professionals underscores the urgent need for additional mental health evaluation centers and resources to support UPMC Chautauqua and address the growing demands of the community.”
City officials are also asking the state for Crisis Stabilization Center funding that has been delayed for the past two years. Crisis Stabilization Centers (CSCs) are specialized facilities designed to provide immediate, short-term intervention and stabilization for individuals in the midst of a mental health crisis. The centers aim to create a secure and supportive environment where individuals can receive urgent care, undergo assessment, and stabilize before moving on to long-term treatment or returning to their community.
In 2022, New York State enacted comprehensive legislation to establish and fund Crisis Stabilization Centers as part of a broader mental health crisis intervention strategy. This bill was intended to address the increasing demand for accessible mental health crisis care and to support organizations like Recovery Options Made Easy (ROME), which was allocated funds to set up a Crisis Stabilization Center in the region. However, the release of the additional money has been delayed by Gov. Kathy Hochul, which has in turn stalled expansion of Crisis Stabilization Centers Governor, stalling the implementation of the 2022 legislation.
“The delay in (Crisis Stabilization Center) funding is directly impeding the efforts of the city, hospital, and other organizations working to address this crisis. Without adequate (Crisis Stabilization Centers), individuals with severe mental health issues lack immediate and effective intervention, which exacerbates their situation. As a result, many remain in encampments, further destabilizing their conditions and increasing their vulnerability. The lack of timely crisis intervention not only intensifies the crisis but also hinders efforts to deliver essential mental health support and help individuals transition into stable housing and care. This funding delay not only undermines the essential mental health services but also affects broader efforts to mitigate homelessness within the city.”