Statewide advocacy groups are calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to help mental health and substance use disorder services.

They are asking for a 7.8% increase in the budget.

Eleven groups held an event at the State Capitol in Albany on Tuesday.

They are asking for a raise in rates and contracts for these services in Hochul’s executive budget proposal.

These groups say New York state must make meaningful investments to close treatment gaps, eliminate disparities and improve access to services.

They say the demand for mental health and substance use disorder services has never been higher, yet adults, children, and families face a number of problems, including long wait lists.

The 11 agencies at the event were: Association for Community Living, Coalition of Medication-Assisted Treatment Providers and Advocates of New York State (COMPA), Families Together in New York State, InUnity Alliance, Mental Health Association in New York State, National Alliance on Mental Illness New York State (NAMI), New York State Care Management Coalition, New York State Coalition for Children’s Behavioral Health, NYS Council for Community Behavioral Health Care, Alliance for Rights and Recovery, and Supportive Housing Network of New York.

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