HELP PRESERVE ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH & SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS CARE

Comments

#413

Every resident of our country deserves full mental health support in every way possible, from every professional trained to do so - especially during these times!

(New York, 2021-02-01)

#414

Practitioners are needed more than ever and must be permitted to fully serve mental health clients.

(Staten Island, 2021-02-01)

#418

Diagnosing mental health issues early is important to our society and our local communities. We are in a mental health epidemic. Now is not the time to constrain the ability to diagnose.

(AMSTERDAM, 2021-02-01)

#421

I have both personal and professional experience in the field of psychiatry/mental health

(New York, 2021-02-01)

#423

The mental health system needs funding for clients to receive good health care.

(Selkirk, 2021-02-01)

#427

L

(Haverstraw, 2021-02-01)

#430

This is important!

(Rochester, 2021-02-01)

#431

I'm signing because this will help individuals get the proper care they need and deserve.

(Canandaigua, 2021-02-01)

#434

I'm signing this petition because I am the parent of two adult children with diagnosed mental illness and there remains inadequate numbers of mental health practitioners to fully service an ever growing community of patients.

(Tonawanda, 2021-02-02)

#436

I am signing because I believe it is crucial to provide access to mental health care to ALL people regardless of their economic situation

(Brooklyn, 2021-02-02)

#437

I’m signing because I’m an LMHC in NY and recognize the lack of available mental health support in our state and country. LMHC’s & MFT’s are highly trained clinicians with education, training, and background equal in every way to social workers and should be recognized as such with the ability to diagnose, and be eligible for any employment that allows fir Masters level licensed clinicians/social workers.

(Belle Harbor, 2021-02-02)

#438

I am signing because I am a new clinician and I am thoroughly trained in diagnosing. We need more practitioners to diagnose not less.

(Rochester, 2021-02-02)

#442

We study human behavior for this sole reason-to diagnose and help those in need.

(Lynbrook, 2021-02-02)

#446

I am signing this petition because i believe as a society we must support everyone with a mental illness.

(New York, 2021-02-02)

#452

My son has a mental illness and needs help.

(Flushing, 2021-02-02)

#453

The mental health of our families are important and families and patients need help. There are not enough practitioners to serve those in need. We need to do all we can to provide services. Thank you!

(Somers, 2021-02-02)

#455

Severe shortage of workforce clinicians so
unable to make budget at times or able to
provide services to all those pts who apply,
especially Spanish speaking.

(Jackson hts, Queens, 2021-02-02)

#457

I am signing this petition, after fighting for it for several years. We have a small OMH and OASAS clinic, and some of our most well trained practitioners are LMHC clinicians. Limiting their scope of practice will create a huge workflow problem in our clinic, and is completely unnecessary.

(New York, 2021-02-02)

#459

I am in support of the large segments of the general population that have been historically underserved, underrepresented and often regulated to exist on the periphery of our so-called civilized society.

(White Plains, 2021-02-02)

#460

I stand with the current way we do things

(Rochester, 2021-02-02)

#461

I'm signing because MFTs have gone unnoticed and unrecognition. It's time to get noticed and get what we need and deserve.

(Albany, 2021-02-02)

#462

Because providers are the key to providing best possible care to individuals n stripping providers of ability to diagnosis is a sham Disgraceful n the clients or patients will suffer more

(Rochester, 2021-02-02)

#467

I want mental illness to revert back to treating it as a brain disorder

(Pleasant valley, 2021-02-02)

#470

Mental health is extremely important especially in the current status of this country.

(Ontario, NY, 2021-02-02)

#473

It is important all mental health providers be able to provide services needed

(Esperance, 2021-02-02)

#481

we need a fully utilized mental health workforce.

(Albany, 2021-02-02)

#487

I am signing because I am trying to acquire hours to obtain an LMHC. A job and responsibility that will be hindered if myself and others in this field are unable to diagnose and properly help our clients/patients. Not to mention it is unfair to change the rules of the game now that there are people who have already acquired a degree in MHC, and acquired one under the impression they would be able to diagnose and help others.

(Flushing, 2021-02-02)

#488

Lmhc !!!! Do not take part of our profession away.

(Syosset, 2021-02-02)

#498

This is important to the well being of community members. The need for Mental health is in high demand the last thing we need is to have something to limit providers in serving the community.

(Levittown, 2021-02-02)

#500

I’m signing because the rigorous training is more extensive than social work. We should be seen as the same despite differences in training. I had to have 500 face to face contact hours in order to graduate not an internship. I had to go through supervision before being able to sit for my exam. Please consider the extensive requirements for these professions needed to graduate and post graduate experience to become licensed.

(Rochester, 2021-02-02)

#518

I’m signing because you are undermining people’s experience and education, as well as limiting the resources for those seeking help. What a shame!

(Bay Shore, 2021-02-03)

#522

I’ve been through abuse myself and taking away a counselors ability to diagnose is a major step in the wrong direction to help those that are on the verge of a breakthrough or beginning to seek help.

(Spring Hill, 2021-02-03)

#528

MOST ESSENTIAL PRACTITIONERS RETAIN THEIR FULL SCOPE OF PRACTICE IN COMMUNITY

(new rochelle, 2021-02-03)

#533

I am a graduate student in a mental health counseling program who will graduate at the end of this year. This issue impacts me directly and my job prospects. Additionally, Covid-19 has demonstrated a critical need for and shortage of counselors, and therefore changing the language to "diagnose and treat" will help innumerable people.

(Brockport, 2021-02-03)

#538

I'm signing because as an LMHC, my ability to diagnose my patients is critical to providing them with the right care. If future practitioners are unable to this, their patients will suffer due to lack of access. Further, it will make it harder for those practitioners to get hired, decreasing mental health staff across the board. Everyone loses when this happens.

(Yonkers, 2021-02-03)

#543

LMHC’s are highly trained essential mental health providers

(BALLSTON LAKE, 2021-02-03)

#547

As a psychiatrist working in the public sector I wish to have this law passed to allow a broadening of the provider types who can diagnosis mental illness, to increase access to care in our long running manpower shortage.

(Mount Vernon, 2021-02-03)

#555

I want to help ensure that all in need of behavioral health services have access to them

(mount vernon, 2021-02-03)

#557

I'm supporting this effort as a licensed clinical social workers because I know my colleagues with degrees such as LMFT, LMHC, Licensed Creative Arts Therapists, are very well trained and more than capable of providing a range of clinical services including diagnosis

(Coxsacki, 2021-02-03)

#561

I'm signing because I'm a limited permit holder and I help to serve children and families in our local communities along with working at a hospital. If we are unable o diagnose this will impede incredibly on our ability to function as professionals and to truly support the individuals that we are supporting

(Rochester, 2021-02-03)

#563

Qualified mental health and marriage counselors have been trained to counsel, a clinical social worker is not qualified to counsel but to do clinical work

(Bay Shore NY, 2021-02-03)

#564

LMFTs are extensively trained in DSM diagnosing and should be allowed to continue this practice.

(Rochester, 2021-02-03)

#565

I’m signing because I have significant concerns as a mental health professional and provider that this can have detrimental outcomes on the youth and families we work with. The qualifications for diagnoses are met by staff, and there is a dire need for this to continue. Many people may be left without services, supports, and effective resources. Our world has been in a crisis for almost a year due to COVID-19. Mental health professionals have worked endlessly to provide support, services, programs, and resources that effectively meet individual and community needs in the midst of this global crisis. This law would prevent many from receiving care, resulting in outcomes such as further mental health crises, and increases in suicide, substance use, and other concerning behaviors. Without supports for our youth and families, we threaten the future generations and not only their level of functioning but also their existence. Please reconsider this law, I fear for what this could cause for so many people who need these services.

(Fairport, 2021-02-03)

#566

I'm signing because I'm an LMFT and a tenured faculty at Mercy College's Marriage & Family Therapy Program where I and my colleagues teach our students how to diagnose as it is central to the process of being a provider of mental health services. Our students learn this skill even though the law doesn't recognize it. It is critical to the services we provide and for our clients in our communities to access services. The need for such services is growing and limiting well-trained professionals will negatively affect the quality of service providers especially in light of the pandemic. LMFTs will be needed now more than ever before given how the pandemic is affecting our families and communities and the increase in mental illness.

I appeal to the State to include "diagnose" in our scope of practice for LMFTs (& LMHCs & psychoanalysts) to strengthen the State's capacity for wrap around services within our communities.

(New York, 2021-02-03)

#568

I KNOW OUR LICENSED GRADUATES ARE TAUGHT THE CAPABILITY AND KNOWLEDGE TO PROPERLY DIAGNOSE PATIENTS. .DR.EVAN IMBER-BLACK
PROFESSOR AND PROGRAM DIRECTOR
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY
MASTERS DEGREE
MERCTY COLLEGE, DOBBS FERRY, NY

(MOUNT VERNON, 2021-02-03)

#575

I believe that LMFT practitioners should have authority to give diagnosis.  

(FR, 2021-02-03)

#579

I’m signing because LMFTs deserve the same opportunities as other mental health professions.

(Mount Vernon, 2021-02-03)

#586

Many Mental Health counseling grads will be adversely impacted by restricting their employment opportunities. We need more mental health professional meetings the needs of the public, not less.

(Flushing, 2021-02-03)

#588

Patients/clients' health care and health concerns should come before politics. Practitioners who currently diagnosis and oppose this initiative do so to protect their territory. The time has come to grant LMHCs, LMFTs and psychoanalysts' the latitude to training diagnose the patients/clients they see. It's the fair and just thing to do for both patients and clinicians alike.

(Newburgh, 2021-02-03)

#589

I'm signing because as a MFT, and will be taking my license exam soon and am employed. This move will mean I will lose 1/2 of my caseload and that means double the work for two licensed therapist who'd have to sit in all the time. Nope.

(Fairort, 2021-02-03)

#592

It is crucial that during a time period where there exists such a largescale, imminent need for frontline workers to address all aspects of health including mental health that we do not restrict access to qualified mental health professionals from those in our communities who need it.

As shown by multiple other states across the country who have already fought some of these same legislative battles, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, Mental Health Counselors and psychoanalysts provided needed care throughout our mental healthcare system. Our own leaders within OMH, OASAS and OCFS and OPWDD have already indicated that restricting the access for these professionals to be able to diagnose and treat individuals would be catastrophic to an already taxed system, and provide a greater impact on safety measures across multiple disciplines including increased rates of substance use, domestic violence, criminal behavior, higher divorce rates, and many others. We have been delaying this specific topics since the inception of Article 163 back to 2006, and it is finally time to validate those of us in the field who have been providing services that many have benefited from for almost two decades.

(Nesconset, 2021-02-03)

#593

I’m signing because my practice in the field will be impacted by the EXCLUSION of mental health providers ability to diagnosis during a global pandemic.

(Syracuse, 2021-02-03)