Adams’ Mental Health Initiatives Cannot Succeed Without Reforming Involuntary Commitment Laws

Mayor Adams is once again attempting to address the city’s escalating issues related to its mentally ill population; however, substantial change will remain elusive until progressive lawmakers in the Legislature reconsider their stance on involuntary commitment.

On Thursday, following yet another spate of violent, high-profile assaults on unsuspecting subway riders, Adams unveiled a $650 million, five-year plan aimed at mitigating homelessness and enhancing the city’s mental health services; the initiative includes plans for a 100-bed transitional facility where the mentally ill can receive continued supervised treatment after leaving psychiatric care.

While the proposal is commendable, it overlooks a crucial element: people need to be admitted to psychiatric facilities initially, and those with severe mental illness seldom recognize their need for help or are able to navigate the system to seek it out and adhere to treatment.

The truth is, many of these individuals require to be compelled into treatment, at least in the beginning.

Adams understands this, which is why he is reiterating his call for the Legislature to pass the Supportive Interventions Act, designed to clarify the conditions under which involuntary commitment can occur.

However, the SIA has still not secured a single sponsor in the state Senate.

Additionally, Gov. Hochul is not advocating for it actively; her focus is limited to expanding and strengthening Kendra’s Law, which falls short of what is necessary but may still be perceived as too extreme by the progressives who dominate the Legislature.

Hochul attempted similar initiatives in 2022, but the liberal Assembly rejected her proposals.

Currently, both Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins have asserted that their backing for Hochul’s proposed modifications will depend on the details, which translates to legislative jargon for “we will scrutinize the bill until it fizzles out.”

Heastie, being a prominent city politician, should recognize the urgency: just this month, a deranged individual with 54 prior arrests and a documented history of mental health challenges attacked two passengers in the subway.

Instead of wandering freely, he should have been incarcerated or committed to a psychiatric facility long ago. This is non-negotiable.

Furthermore, Stewart-Cousins demonstrated her lack of concern for the safety of New Yorkers in her list of near-term priorities for Empire Report, which excluded any mention of crime, mental illness, or the recent horrifying subway incidents.

The progressive-controlled Legislature has consistently blocked every attempt to permit substantial involuntary commitment.

In fact, even renewing Kendra’s Law is often contentious; the progressives won’t agree to make it permanent.

Change will only occur when someone—be it Adams, Hochul, or their successors—creates sufficient concern among lawmakers about job security if the stalemate persists.

Publicly identifying and shaming the most egregious offenders, like Queens Senator Mike Gianaris, every time one of these disturbed individuals harms another innocent person would be an effective initial step.