Mental Health in New York City is one of the biggest problems in society. Almost one fourth of the population in this state has genetic or physical problems, such as drug addiction, according to New York Health Foundation (NYHealth). Often you can see people with mental health issues, and their actions become criminal.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “Drug use often coexists with other mental illnesses. In some cases, mental disorders such as anxiety, depression or schizophrenia may be present before addiction. In others, drug use can trigger or worsen these mental health disorders, particularly in people who have certain specific vulnerabilities.” The government of New York needs to reduce the sale of drugs to the general public and address the issues of mental illness from the beginning, before it leads to a drug addiction.
Depression in citizens of NY has been increasing over time and has been a major cause of mental problems. Based on a resource from the New York Health Foundation (NYHealth), “More than three years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, rates of depression and anxiety among New Yorkers remain very high. One in three New Yorkers suffers from one or both conditions, a rate that has not changed since May 2021. Mental health problems are more common among some groups of New Yorkers than others and disproportionately affect young people, people of color and people with low incomes.” One way to help reduce depression is by encouraging authorities to increase the assistance of people trained in the mental field to teach people who suffer from mental health issues ways to combat those issues.
In the United States, the sale of weapons is allowed for anyone who reaches the age of 21, leaving aside the serious consequences that this can bring to society. According to National Institute of Health, “Mental illness, guns and suicide guns are more lethal than other methods of suicide and self-harm. They are fast and the damage caused is usually irreversible. This is an incredibly important problem for people with mental illness, as impulsivity is a prevalent characteristic of people with diagnosed mental and behavioral disorders, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), personality disorders, psychotic disorders, bipolar disorders, substance use disorders, eating disorders and even dementia. The United States is currently witnessing a mass shooting conundrum in which most people are quick to claim that the underlying cause is mental illness.” New York City must slow down the sale of weapons outside of a stipulated use, since by falling into the wrong hands, in this case a person diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder, can threaten the lives of other citizens of New York.
Mental health in our city must be a priority for the authorities, which must focus on the area of health and well-being of New Yorkers, innovating new ideas and ways in which they can support the population. They can create more rehabilitation centers for people who suffer or begin to suffer from mental illnesses, and give medications to treat mental illness. The New York Department of Health must make treatments more accessible to all. This way more people can be treated on time regardless of their social status.
