New York City, NY – On Monday, May 12, 2025, Douglas C. Brooks, President and CEO of Community Counseling & Mediation (CCM) joined Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10), and Council Members Erik Bottcher and Lynn Shulman and other community leaders on the steps of New York City Hall to reintroduce and endorse the legislation Strengthening Medicaid for People Living With Serious Mental Illness.*
Congressman Goldman held the press conference to reintroduce the Strengthening Medicaid for Serious Mental Illness Act, which was originally proposed by U.S. Senator Kirstin Gillibrand (D-NY) and Congressman Goldman in August, 2023. This bill aims to support individuals living with serious mental illnesses (SMI) such as schizophrenia, bipolar illness, and major depressive disorder by providing more Medicaid funding so that they are able to access the treatment and support services they require.
Congressman Goldman is a member of the Mental Health Caucus and has made expanding health care services for Americans a priority. In his press release, Congressman Goldman said, “Mental health care has been overlooked and underfunded for decades, and this legislation takes a critical step forward by providing millions of Americans living with severe mental illness access to lifesaving treatment and support by expanding Medicaid services for our most vulnerable.”
During the press conference, Mr. Brooks was recognized by Congressman Goldman as a community and mental health leader. On behalf of Community Counseling & Mediation, he gave a passionate speech about the need to provide vulnerable populations experiencing SMI the funding, services and care they deserve and highlighted the exceptional work CCM does to support these communities.
“CCM provides permanent supportive housing for individuals and families with serious mental illnesses and other disabilities, and without Medicaid funding and other support services to treat them, these men, women and children would be living on the streets, suffering the indignity of pain and hardship,” Mr. Brooks said during his endorsement speech. “CCM also provides mental health counseling and substance abuse treatment for all New Yorkers, and we know that these issues do not discriminate. These issues can affect anyone, no matter your race, gender, or tax bracket. However, time and again, it is often the most vulnerable people who suffer the most, and who most require our services.”
Mr. Brooks continued his endorsement by saying, “After years of working directly with these communities, I know how vital funding and services are, for both the individuals living with serious mental health issues, and the families who support them every day. It is imperative that funding is made available to treat those who may not be able to afford it, as poverty should never disqualify a person from treatment. And as a licensed clinician, I have witnessed just how effective mental health, substance use, and housing services can be in transforming a person’s overall wellbeing, and how positively that impacts the rest of their families and communities.”
CCM was proud to stand alongside the Congressman, Council Members, and other community leaders at the press conference to endorse the Strengthening Medicaid for Serious Mental Illnesses Act. We will continue to work alongside Congressman Goldman, Senator Gillibrand, and Council Members Bottcher and Shulman to support and serve all New Yorkers—especially our city’s most vulnerable.
To Learn More:
Watch Doug Brooks’ full endorsement speech on YouTube.
Read Congressman Goldman’s Press Release.
Read the Strengthening Medicaid for Serious Mental Illness Actopens PDF file bill text.
See additional Press Conference photos and videos from Congressman Goldman’s office.
To learn more about Community Counseling & Mediation, please visit our website: www.ccmnyc.org or call (718) 802-0666.
*Disclaimer: Community Counseling and Mediation has independent political views. We are not affiliated with any political party nor do we represent/oppose any elected official. However, it is our right and responsibility to support any legislation that we deem to create a positive impact on the lives of the vulnerable populations we serve.
