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COMMUNITY OP-ED                                                  SEPTEMBER 26, 2025        |  The Indian Eye 12


       “Bridge to Home” is Providing a Public





                  Health Approach to Public Safety






               By providing people managing severe mental illness with safe, clean rooms and

          dedicated on-site clinical support, our ‘Bridge to Home’ facilities will bridge the divide

                            between critical hospital care and long-term housing solutions






















                   ERIC ADAMS


             rom the start of our adminis-
             tration, we have been clear that
        Fthe days of ignoring people
        in crisis — on our streets and in our
        subways — were over. It’s no secret
        that too many New Yorkers who suf-
        fer  from  severe  mental  illness  cycle
        between hospitals and homelessness,
        and that we need a better way to help
        them get long-term care and stable
        housing.
            That’s where taking a public
        health approach to public safety   support, our ‘Bridge to Home’ facil-  social workers with police officers to   increase involuntary treatment op-
        comes in, and what our new ‘Bridge   ities will bridge the divide between   do outreach on the subways, to in-  tions this year.
        to Home’ initiative will provide for   critical  hospital care and  long-term   creasing the number of community   Our work over the last three and a
        our brothers and sisters in need, spe-  housing solutions. The program will   clubhouses that provide safe spaces   half years has been the right thing to do,
        cifically for those who have been dis-  reduce emergency room visits and   for people with severe mental illness,  the compassionate thing to do, and it
        charged from psychiatric facilities but   inpatient hospitalizations, as well as   to expanding Safe Haven beds that   has had broad support from a majority
        do not have a home to return to and   decrease street homelessness and re-  make  it  easier  for  homeless  New   of New Yorkers. We are delivering real
        are not yet ready to live independent-  liance on shelters. This will help pa- Yorkers to get off the street, we have   solutions that work, not catch-phras-
        ly. The first facility opened last week   tients avoid unnecessary encounters   used every possible tool and meth-  es that will never become reality.
        in Midtown Manhattan, with individ-  with law enforcement and make our   od to help New Yorkers in need get   I have seen both sides of this
        ual rooms, three balanced meals a   city safer while improving quality of   care and services, no matter what   issue, from living on the verge of
        day, and wraparound mental health   life for all New Yorkers. That is what   issues they are struggling with. More   homelessness as a child to patrolling
        services for up to 46 residents. It will   taking a public health approach to   importantly, we are investing in the   our subways as a transit officer. As
        be staffed 24 hours a day, seven days   public safety actually looks like.  social services that take a public   mayor, I am determined to help
        a week, by professionals from NYC    ‘Bridge to Home’ is part of our   health approach to keeping all New   break the cycle of dysfunction and
        Health + Hospitals, who will provide   $650 million plan, that we announced   Yorkers safe. Our administration has   build a better future; a future where
        behavioral health services, medica-  in this year’s State of the City address.  changed the conversation around   all New Yorkers have a chance for
        tion management, and substance use   The plan builds on over three years   mental health, homelessness, and   grace, guidance, and long-term re-
        disorder treatment, as well as regular   of dedicated work to help New York-  quality-of-life issues. We have suc-  covery. We all know that no matter
        social, therapeutic, and recreational   ers struggling with homelessness and   cessfully advocated for improved   how lost you may be, there is always
        opportunities.                    mental illness, and is changing the   legal options, particularly the ‘Sup-  a way home, but sometimes you need
            By providing people managing   way we care for those in crisis.  portive Interventions Act,’ which   a little help to get there.
        severe mental illness with safe, clean   From expanding our SCOUT   helped us get Albany to give us the    Eric Adams is the Mayor of
        rooms and dedicated on-site clinical   and PATH outreach models that pair   ability to expand access to care and   New York City, NY


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