In a 2020 Mental Health & Well-Being Survey, 47.7 percent of Cornell students reported experiencing moderate or serious psychological distress.
These students are not alone. Nearly 60 million adults in the U.S. live with mental illnesses, with the highest rates among 18 to 25 year olds. With the rising mental health crisis in the U.S., advocates from the University to the state level are working to improve access to mental health access for all — from therapy, to detox services, to crisis stabilization.
OSGR Advocacy to Pass PSYPACT in New York State
Alice He ’25 is the Cornell OSGR executive deputy director and state director. She has been the head of a lobbying campaign this year, advocating to pass the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact in New York State.
If passed, PSYPACT would permit practitioners to practice telepsychology across state lines. This would allow out-of-state students to continue with their at-home therapists when at school in New York or to continue with NYS-licensed therapists when moving out of state. This could alleviate mental health struggles by allowing students to contact a therapist from their home state when necessary, according to He.
The bill has already been passed in 42 states, but not New York. While New York has not enacted the bill, there are several versions being proposed this year to the NYS Assembly and Senate.
She explained the scope of OSGR’s advocacy efforts, including talking to supporters and legislators to advocate for the bill. This year, they have traveled to speak with figures such as Senator Rachel May and Assembly Member Tony Simone Simone, the current sponsor of a bill to pass PSYPACT in its entirety.
He further explained the challenges students face when trying to navigate services through Cornell Health.
“It's hard to navigate the healthcare system and to understand which therapist is covered if you're doing out-of-network services,” He said. “If you cannot get care from Cornell Health, then you don't know who else to look for to reach out to, especially if you're out of state.”
The OSGR currently has over 30 people who have signed their petition to pass PSYPACT and is working to collect testimonies from students to strengthen lobbying efforts on the state level.
“We are trying to compile a testimony folder so we can show people that this is a real thing, that people are being affected,” He said.
The County-level Push for Crisis Stabilization and Detox Services
In October 2024, Tompkins County Legislature unanimously approved a five-year, $600,000 contract with Cayuga Health System to develop detox and mental health stabilization services through Cayuga Addiction Recovery Services.
CARS will receive funding from New York State’s Office of Addiction Services through the Tompkins County Whole Health Department to support these services.
Prof. Richard John, law, chair of the public safety committee for the Tompkins County Legislature, said there has been an increased need for services in the county following the closing of the Alcohol and Drug Council of Tompkins County due to “financial difficulties.”
The council had planned to open a detox facility prior to its closure. Now, John explained that Cayuga Health plans to run the detox center out of the council’s old building on Triphammer Road in Lansing, NY.
Frank Kruppa, assistant vice president for Community Program Development and Partner Integration for Cayuga Health System, further explained that Cayuga Health aims to open a medically assisted detox center and intensive crisis stabilization center housed in the same facility by the end of 2025.
“That will allow us to provide both mental health and substance use disorder crisis services in the same facility,” Kruppa said.
At the facility, there will be nurses, addiction counselors, nurse practitioners and physicians to “support the needs of the clients on the substance use side,” as well as mental health counselors, nurse practitioners and psychiatrists to help clients “on the mental health side,” Kruppa explained.
Additionally, following evaluation and treatment, Cayuga Health aims to connect clients with long-term support services.
Kruppa discussed his vision to connect those on the recovery path to other support systems in the area, even beyond their time in the detox center.
“What we're really hoping is beyond what we're able to do in the building– to link to the other services available in the community,” Kruppa said. “So when they have completed the services that are available in this facility, we'll be able to seamlessly transition them to other supports in the community to help them continue on their recovery path.”
Kruppa also highlighted the increasing need for mental health services in Tompkins County, noting that “The demand and acuity for mental health and substance use disorders in our community has grown.”
“We don't have enough services available across the continuum, which is why it's exciting to be a part of this effort,” Kruppa said.