During Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, Governor Hochul Announces Transportation for Life Summit to Support Prevention Efforts and Raise Awareness

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that registration is now open for the upcoming Transportation for Life Summit on Friday, September 22 at Dutchess Community College in Poughkeepsie. Coinciding with Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, the one-day, interagency summit will focus on building a first-of-its-kind coordinated and comprehensive approach to mental health awareness and suicide prevention in public spaces.

“Every year, we lose far too many New Yorkers to suicide, leaving families devastated and communities in mourning," Governor Hochul said. "By bringing together leaders in public health, transportation, education, and a variety of other fields, this summit will help us build a comprehensive approach to prevention to save lives and better support New Yorkers experiencing a mental health crisis.”

“When we bring together State agencies, mental health experts, and community leaders, we can work to prevent suicide across New York and ensure services are widely available for those in need,” said Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado. “Every agency, organization, or person has the power to make a difference and save lives. We’re committed to building a safer, more supportive state for all New Yorkers.”

The Transportation for Life Summit is a collaborative effort that will bring together professionals, experts and stakeholders from various fields, including mental health, transportation, education, community organizations, among others. The goal is to promote a commitment to suicide prevention and to collectively explore innovative strategies and initiatives to prevent suicides, raise awareness and support those impacted.

Hosted by the New York State Bridge Authority and the New York State Office of Mental Health, the summit will convene experts from multiple disciplines to help transportation entities share best practices and better respond to mental health incidents at their facilities. The event marks the first collaboration among state agencies to address suicide prevention in public spaces and overall mental health awareness.

The summit will feature keynote speakers and panels with a range of experts, including state agency executives, operators of public-facing spaces, public health officials, and other policy makers. The event is expected to draw first responders, engineers, architects, information technologists, and the general public.

The summit is hosted in partnership with MTA Bridges and Tunnels, Metro-North Railroad, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Thruway Authority, the Office of General Services, as well as the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

Statistically, deaths by suicide occurring in public spaces are fewer in number than those in other settings. The public nature of suicide deaths at transportation facilities, however, often make them the subject of extensive media coverage, which often amplifies the impact of these tragic deaths at the community level.

The summit builds upon Governor Hochul’s strong commitment to improving mental health services throughout New York State. Her comprehensive plan to revitalize the continuum of mental health care and the historic investments she secured in the FY 2024 Budget to accomplish this plan are aimed at dramatically expanding access, reducing wait times, and ensuring appropriate levels of care statewide.

The plan will increase operational capacity for inpatient psychiatric treatment by 1,000 beds, dramatically expand outpatient services and create 3,500 new housing units for New Yorkers with mental illness, in addition to expanding mental health services for children and youth; broadening insurance coverage for mental health and substance use disorder services; and investing in the mental health care workforce. The FY 2024 Budget provided $60 million to support the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline –an increase of $25 million from the prior budget.

Earlier this summer, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the successful rollout of the state’s 988 Community Education and Awareness Toolkit, an interactive resource tool designed to support individuals facing suicide-risk. This three-digit number is available nationally and will connect the caller to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. New Yorkers experiencing thoughts of suicide can call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org/chat for a direct connection to care and support.

Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said, “The tragic loss of life by suicide impacts thousands of New Yorkers each year. This timely summit will bring together experts and policy makers from many different areas to discuss how we can help individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. Through unique events like this, Governor Hochul continues to demonstrate her full commitment to improving all facets of mental health care throughout our state.”

Joan McDonald, Chair of the New York State Bridge Authority Board of Commissioners, said, “The Bridge Authority Board of Commissioners is proud to support this initiative which will bring together a range of experts across the transportation and mental health fields. We know it will be a tremendous opportunity to learn more about this important topic and to exchange vital information for the benefit of our communities. We are grateful to Governor Hochul for bringing the various state agencies together to discuss this issue.”

Dr. Minosca Alcantara, Executive Director of the New York State Bridge Authority, said, “The Bridge Authority has long been committed to improving mental health in the communities we serve, starting with the first helpline phones installed on the Mid-Hudson Bridge in 1984. Our hope is that this summit will bring the brightest minds together to create greater awareness and spur continued action in the transportation industry. NYSBA is proud to join our partners in state government in this endeavor as we build upon Governor Hochul’s commitment to bettering the mental health and wellbeing of our fellow New Yorkers.”

MTA Bridges and Tunnels President Catherine Sheridan said, “The Transportation For Life Summit is a great opportunity for public agencies and mental health professionals to discuss suicide prevention. It provides the opportunity to learn from each other and from the most recent developments and studies to help all of us combat a very difficult challenge that affects so many people in many difficult ways.”

Metro-North Railroad President and Long Island Rail Road Interim President Catherine Rinaldi said, “This dedicated event fosters productive conversations about mental health with experts in the field and how to build on suicide prevention strategies in place. Governor Hochul has been a tremendous supporter of public safety, and we are grateful for her leadership in providing the assistance and resources to address issues stemming from mental health problems to improve the lives of all New Yorkers.”

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, "Combating suicide and addressing mental health is of the utmost importance, but it is not something that can be done without the collaborative effort of dedicated individuals. This interagency summit will provide an opportunity for people with numerous backgrounds and perspectives to have an open and honest dialogue to help achieve a common goal. I thank Governor Hochul for her unwavering commitment to mental health, and all of the agencies who are working together to further this important cause."

Thruway Authority Interim Executive Director Frank G. Hoare said, “Public safety is always our top priority. Unfortunately for years, suicide attempts were commonplace on the old Tappan Zee Bridge. When we started planning its replacement a decade ago, we developed strategies to install climb-deterrent fencing, add safety barriers, and expand the number of emergency phones with direct access to trained crisis counselors. This approach has proven effective on the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge. As transportation agencies, it’s important to enhance access to mental health resources along our systems and we’re proud of the partnership with New York State, which has become a nationwide leader in this area.”

New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner and Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee Chair Mark J.F. Schroeder said, "This collaboration is an important step in addressing a critical issue in our state. Too many families across New York have been impacted by mental illness. I applaud the efforts of Governor Hochul on this subject, and I am pleased to be part of this partnership to raise awareness of the signs of mental illness and to find ways to reduce the possibility of people choosing to take their own lives in a public place.”

Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said, “This summit shows a commitment and strong collaborative effort among state agencies to help New Yorkers during very trying times. Our Park Police department and Parks’ staff regularly review procedures to recognize and improve the safety of all those who enjoy our properties.”

Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy said, “For many New Yorkers, mental health is a silent battle. The Transportation for Life Summit demonstrates Governor Hochul’s ongoing commitment to improve mental health services and create more equitable and accessible mental health services throughout New York State. OGS is proud to join our partner agencies at this summit, which will enable stakeholders and state agencies to discuss ways to raise awareness about mental health crises, prevent suicides, and integrate comprehensive public health approaches into our public spaces.”

DCC President Dr. Peter Jordan said, "Dutchess Community College is always proud to provide a platform for our community to engage in challenging and productive discussions about mental health, especially in these post-COVID times. As an institution of higher learning, we’re also committed to advancing the wellbeing of the greater community. To this end, we’re glad to partner with the NYS Bridges Authority and NYS Office of Mental Health to facilitate a dialogue about suicide awareness and prevention. We look forward to contributing our perspectives and expertise, as a college, and learning from our peers as we work together to address these important issues.”

About the New York State Bridge Authority

The New York State Bridge Authority operates the Bear Mountain, Newburgh-Beacon, Mid-Hudson, Kingston-Rhinecliff and Rip Van Winkle Bridges. It also owns and maintains the structure of the Walkway Over the Hudson pedestrian bridge. The Authority receives no operating funding through state or federal tax dollars, with nearly all of its revenue coming through tolls. Tolls are reinvested back into capital improvements on the Authority’s spans, ensuring these critical pieces of infrastructure can continue serving the Hudson Valley for decades to come.

About the New York State Office of Mental Health

The Office of Mental Health promotes the mental health of all New Yorkers, with a particular focus on providing hope and recovery for adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbances. OMH operates psychiatric centers across the state and regulates, certifies and oversees more than 4,500 programs, operated by local governments and nonprofit agencies. For questions about mental health services or to find a mental health service provider, please call 1-800-597-8481.