Executive Partner, Carolyn Reinach Wolf, was recently featured in Newsday with a compelling op-ed that addresses one of the most urgent issues of our time — the mental health crisis.
In her article, “Expanding involuntary commitment won’t solve our mental health crisis,” Carolyn shares critical insights into Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposed changes to New York’s involuntary commitment laws. While the proposal seeks to broaden the criteria for hospitalization, Carolyn argues that this approach, which focuses on short-term confinement, risks missing the broader and more sustainable solutions required to truly support those suffering from serious mental illness.
“This debate pits the need for heightened public safety against potential violations of individual freedoms, a worthwhile conversation that, unfortunately, confuses essential aspects of mental health care.”
Carolyn emphasizes that individuals with chronic mental illness need long-term housing, access to ongoing care, and policies that reflect the realities of mental health treatment, rather than policies that remove them from public spaces temporarily. She warns that without addressing the root causes of homelessness and inadequate care, people often end up trapped in a cycle of hospitalization, incarceration, and street homelessness.
