APP Health

Coinciding with mental health month, Councilor Carmen De La Rosa continues to try to strengthen the emotional health and well-being of the communities in this sector.

The streets of Washington Heights were seen on Saturday as a united community walked to communicate the importance of good mental health.

It is the first version of this walk led by councilor Carmen De la Rosa and which arose from the initiative of the Long Live Our Butterfly Foundation or Que viva nuestra mariposa in honor of Ramona Elizabeth Rodríguez, a victim of domestic violence and who was murdered by his sentimental ex-partner in 2021.

Yalitza Espinal is another survivor and tells us about her experience:

“I am a survivor and also a victim of abuse. I lost a mother 32 years ago. My mother was murdered by my father and I witnessed what happened. When we go through testimonials or obstacles or bad things, we have to come together as a community. Here we are showing that there are still people who believe in the community and also to fight for their children and for their women,” he says.

The meeting, which brought together various members of the community, seeks to raise awareness about the importance of good mental health as the foundation of New Yorkers’ lives, as well as that violence in all its forms is intolerable.

Councilwoman De la Rosa says: “Breaking the stigma around mental health in our community, having healthy spaces in our community where we can all talk that we all have stress”

“Just living in New York City puts stress on us and we all need support”

“So in our communities, we have to begin to break the chains of stigma, which means that a person who is experiencing a moment of depression, a moment of sadness, a moment of stress, a difficult moment, has nowhere to go, has no with whom to talk and feel that they only have to be isolated at home ”.

Giselle Martinez, director of the Twu Workers’ Committee also has a lot to say:

“We have more than seven thousand women working in what is the MTA. It is super important that the public knows and knows that we are also human beings and that we have break down. That we have… we have to have that breather. Mental health is very important.”

“My family wants to create and raise awareness of mental health in order to prevent and work to prevent domestic violence,” says Kilsy Hidalgo, founder of Que Viva Nuestra Mariposa.

We are in the month of mental health but we know that this is an everyday topic. If you or someone you know needs support there are resources for you, visit your district councilor or call the local hotline 988. You are not alone.

At 37, William sleeps in the park in front of the city hall. He tells that during his adolescence he was an outstanding athlete, however, between the ages of 20 and 30 his mental health deteriorated and he now lives on the streets.

Today William says that he would like help to change his situation.

“Mental health help is necessary because many of us self-medicate and have addictions, which are part of the problem,” said William.

Like him, many homeless New Yorkers don’t get much of the help available, several council members said.

All this, precisely as a result of the death on the subway of Jordan Neely, who apparently suffered from mental problems. What happened has set off alarm bells among the authorities and for this reason they want to strengthen services and help people who suffer from mental health problems.

“And one feels compassion for these people, but at the same time one feels insecure, hopefully they can make amendments and laws, and programs that can help these people,” said attorney Orelmy Díaz.

Councilman Kevin Riley said he is frustrated and very angry about what happened to Neely, who was known to earn a few pennies in Times Square by impersonating Michael Jackson.. The councilor pointed out that literally people whose mental health is a problem are being hanged.

“They must support them, both physically and mentally as well,” said neighbor Pedro Sánchez. “In the centers they should have them and examine them, if they are trained to be on the streets, or if not to be in a safer place.”

The bill package is aimed at closing gaps in the mental health service resources that already exist in the city.

Likewise, these laws will require the Department of Health and Hygiene to establish a broad educational campaign regarding mental health and to keep an annual report of people who have had crisis episodes in public spaces.

This legislative package will also call for expanding social clubs, where New Yorkers with mental health issues can work and socialize with others.