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Statement from the NYS Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors on Assisted Outpatient Treatment

ALBANY, NY— The New York State Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors ("the Conference") issues the following statement in support of Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) and its support for the recent commentary issued by New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan highlighting the critical role of court-ordered treatment in connecting individuals with serious mental illness to the care and supports they need. Read Commissioner Sullivan's full op-ed here: https://www.timesunion.com/opinion/article/court-ordered-mental-health-treatment-works-need-22383995.php

The Conference recognizes that Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) can be life-changing for individuals living with serious mental illness who have not been successfully connected to treatment through voluntary services alone. While there is always opportunity to strengthen implementation and improve access, AOT remains a critical component of New York's behavioral health continuum. For some individuals, voluntary engagement alone has not been sufficient to establish or maintain connection to treatment. In those circumstances, AOT provides an important pathway to promote engagement, stability, and recovery. As the local behavioral health authority, Directors of Community Services (DCSs) remain committed to working with OMH, providers, families, law enforcement, and the courts to ensure AOT is implemented effectively and that individuals with the greatest clinical needs have timely access to appropriate care.

AOT is not the only answer, nor should it be. It is one important tool in a complex mental health system that also relies on strong voluntary, community-based services. Continued investment in both AOT and the broader continuum of care is essential to ensuring counties have the resources needed to help individuals access the right services at the right time and achieve long-term recovery. The Conference commends its state partners for their longstanding commitment to supporting AOT and for its continued investment in programs that strengthen access to care for individuals with complex behavioral health needs.