The city plans to invest up to $30 million in small mental health community centers, known as “clubhouses,” with the aim of tripling membership from 5,000 to 15,000 in a few years. However, Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan’s plan to reduce the number of centers from 16 to 13 raises concerns about the effectiveness of these intimate spaces.
There are concerns about whether the city should be investing so heavily in these mental health centers, as they primarily serve adults with major depressive disorder and similar challenges rather than the severely mentally ill individuals who need the most help. Members of these communities worry that larger centers serving hundreds of people a day may not meet the individual needs of their clients.
One significant issue is that the city is not covering the startup costs for the new clubhouses, which could lead to them being located in different neighborhoods than the existing centers. Vasan’s background as the former CEO of Fountain House, one of New York City’s largest clubhouse providers, may be influencing his perspective. Additionally, his strict stance on mandates starting in 2022 raises doubts about his judgment.
In recent years, there has been an increase in membership from 3,000 to 5,000 by adding small centers gradually. However, this rapid plan to triple membership raises concerns about fundamentally changing the service without thoroughly considering its consequences. Ultimately, there is a call for Mayor Adams and Commissioner Vasan to prioritize their commitment to medicine: First do no harm.
