In 2024, nearly 7,800 New Yorkers were involuntarily transported to hospitals for psychiatric assessments, according to a new report from the Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health. While the majority were released without being admitted, the data sheds light on the city’s controversial approach to addressing mental health and homelessness under Mayor Eric Adams.
The report reveals that most involuntary hospital trips originated in private homes rather than public spaces, with the NYPD initiating 7,060 of the 7,721 transports. Clinicians, including psychiatrists and social workers, initiated the remaining 661. Manhattan led the boroughs in involuntary transports, while Staten Island had the fewest.
Adams has championed involuntary hospitalization as a critical tool to help individuals with mental health issues, particularly those experiencing homelessness. He has urged police and clinicians to expand the circumstances under which they can initiate such transports, even if the individual does not pose an immediate threat. “Adams frequently singles the measure out as a necessary tool to get people with mental health issues who are sleeping on the street or in the subway into care — whether they want it or not,” the report states.
However, this policy has faced significant pushback.Civil rights advocates and mental health professionals argue that voluntary treatment should be prioritized. Critics also highlight racial disparities in the data: Black New Yorkers, who make up 23% of the city’s population, accounted for 54% of involuntary hospital trips.
Once transported, not all patients were admitted for care. Among those sent by clinicians to public hospitals, only 42% were admitted for psychiatric or medical treatment.The city lacks comparable data from private hospitals, raising questions about treatment standards and capacity.
Adams’ administration changed the criteria for involuntary transports in 2022, broadening it to include individuals who appear unable to meet their basic needs. Gov. Kathy Hochul’s administration issued similar guidance, and both are now pushing to enshrine these standards in state law.
Key Data on Involuntary Hospitalization in NYC (2024)
| Metric | Data |
|———————————|———————————–|
| Total Involuntary Transports | 7,721 |
| Initiated by NYPD | 7,060 |
| Initiated by Clinicians | 661 |
| Originating in Private Homes | ~50% |
| Originating in Public Spaces | ~20% |
| Black Patients | 54% |
| Admitted for Care (Clinician-Initiated) | 42% |
The debate over involuntary hospitalization continues to intensify, with advocates calling for more compassionate, voluntary approaches to mental health care. As Adams and Hochul push for legislative changes,the city grapples with balancing public safety,civil rights,and the needs of its most vulnerable residents.
