New Report Reveals Barriers to Mental Health Treatment for Nearly One Million New York City Adults

Survey Identifies Affordability, Lack of Awareness of Resources As Significant Obstacles

May 15, 2025 — A new report by the Health Department shows that about 945,000 adult New Yorkers (14%) reported an unmet need for mental health treatment in the past year. "Barriers to Mental Health Treatment among New York City Adults, 2023" identifies obstacles individuals face in obtaining crucial care, including cost, lack of awareness of resources, and the belief that they can manage their conditions on their own. The report highlights the importance of health equity, to ensure that all New Yorkers may achieve their highest level of health and well-being.

“All New Yorkers should have timely access to high-quality, affordable mental health care when they need it,” said Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse. “With this survey, we learned that cost, stigma, and accessibility are among the top issues creating barriers to mental health care services for New Yorkers. By identifying these specific factors, we can better focus our efforts to eliminate barriers to mental health care.”

The study, based on data from the NYC Neighborhood Wellness Survey, highlights that among individuals with unmet needs for mental health care, the most cited reasons for not seeking treatment were:

• "Thought I could handle my mental health without treatment" (48%).
• "Could not afford the cost" (39%).
• "Didn't know who to contact or where to go" (37%).

The report also indicates that over half of NYC adults with an unmet need for treatment reported multiple barriers (57%), with 17% reporting three barriers and 15% reporting four or more.

The report emphasizes that barriers disproportionately affect under-resourced communities, including low-income individuals, people of color, and those born outside the U.S.

Adults experiencing any financial strain were more likely than those with no financial strain to select “could not afford the cost,” “worried that people would think badly of me,” “had problems using telehealth services,” “worried it could affect my job,” and “could not find a provider who spoke my language or understood my culture” as barriers to treatment. Adults with very high financial strain were also more likely to select “hours or locations were not convenient.”

Latino and API adults were more likely than white adults to report the following barriers to mental health treatment: “worried that people would think badly of me” (17% and 22%, respectively, vs. 10%), “worried it could affect my job” (10% and 12% vs. 7%), and “could not find a provider who spoke my language or understood my culture” (10% and 15% vs. 4%).

Adults born outside of the U.S. were more likely than those born in the U.S. (including U.S. territories) to select “worried that people would think badly of me,” “worried it could affect my job,” and “could not find a provider who spoke my language or understood my culture.”

To address these challenges, the report offers several recommendations.

For All New Yorkers

• For free, confidential mental health support and connection to treatment, call or text 988 or chat online at nyc.gov/988.
• Consider completing a mental health training to learn how to identify the signs of mental illness and how to assist someone who may be developing a mental health condition through the Health Department Community Mental Wellness and Resilience workshops.

For Mental Health Providers

• Take Behavioral Health Parity 101 training and advocate for fair reimbursement rates.
• Consider adjusting hours and offering in-person treatment options.

For Community Organizations and Advocates

• Focus efforts on reducing stigma, particularly among young adults, men, Latino and Asian and Pacific Islander adults and adults born outside the U.S.
• Provide support for individuals needing help with telehealth services.

For Policymakers

• Enforce mental health parity laws.
• Support a diverse mental health workforce.
• Advocate for affordable internet access.
• Expand access to social conditions that promote mental health, such as jobs with livable wages and affordable housing.

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MEDIA CONTACT: PressOffice@health.nyc.gov