NYC Mayor Adams supports involuntary mental health hospital removals

New York City Mayor Eric Adams defended his administration's practice of involuntarily removing mentally ill individuals to hospitals. This statement came after a City Council report criticized the practice as ineffective and harmful to long-term mental health strategies. The Council's report, released on Monday, raised concerns that the data provided by the mayor's office is incomplete and highlighted that involuntary removals disproportionately affect Black residents. It noted that many individuals transported do not receive proper inpatient care or long-term support. The report also mentioned that these removals are more likely to occur in private homes than public spaces, which goes against the mayor's argument for the program. Councilmember Linda Lee, who leads the mental health committee, pointed out that the mayor's administration has relied on these involuntary removals without offering adequate funding for essential treatment measures. At a weekly press briefing, Adams stressed the need for transparency and emphasized the challenges of addressing severe mental illness. The mayor urged critics, particularly City Council members, to step outside their offices and see the issues firsthand in places like the subway system. He reiterated his support for transporting individuals who cannot care for themselves, even if it is against their will. While this practice has faced significant backlash from advocates, it has gained some support from other elected officials. Data from the administration and the Council's report revealed that 54% of the individuals involuntarily transported are Black, although they represent only 23% of New York City's population. In response to the Council's findings, Adams called for a focus on where the issues exist, rejecting claims of playing racial politics. The Council suggested investing in mobile help programs, transitional support, and community-based centers for better mental health care.