Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced Wednesday a $9 million rollout of extensive mental illness outreach services focusing on Manhattan neighborhoods.
Bragg chose his words carefully on Dec. 14 but made it abundantly clear that his new program is a distinct contrast to Mayor Eric Adams’ push to have those suffering from mental illness and are unable to care for themselves involuntarily hospitalized.
The DA’s two-part initiative, called “Neighborhood Navigators,” engage homeless individuals throughout Manhattan who battle with mental health and substance abuse issues by building relationships before offering them services. According to Bragg, a team of about 36 individuals will be carrying out the new approach.
