In less than 24 hours, four people in New York City jumped in front of trains and ended their lives, indicating a mental health crisis. The spike in attempted suicide is alarming, and something must be done about it. The MTA should place trained mental health workers inside train stations.
One of the victims was struck by a 7 train at 103rd Street-Corona Plaza Station in Queens around 2:40 p.m. on March 13. The other victims were hit at 191st Street station in Washington Heights, 96th Street Station on the West Side and 207th Street Station.
Currently, Gov. Kathy Hochul has implemented Subway Co-Response Outreach Teams and Safe Option Support teams to assist vulnerable individuals.
By the end of 2025, Hochul strives to increase the number of SCOUT teams to 10. However, this is not enough to help the increasing number of New Yorkers who are dealing with challenges related to mental health.
The MTA needs to place mental health hubs inside busy stations, such as Grand Central, Queens Plaza and Union Square. Passengers would be able to report others in need of assistance and give vulnerable individuals quick access to trained counselors.
Additionally, cops need to be trained to help citizens tackle mental health crises together. Educating police officers to handle these situations can help them become a more trusted source of help and make people feel safer.
The overwhelming police presence in stations is unnecessary. Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams should instead reallocate those resources to not only increase SCOUT and SOS teams but also educate officers on how to help people going through mental health challenges. Increasing quantity does nothing to solve the issue of the quality of help.
The MTA needs to save lives, not criminalize those dealing with their issues alone. These vulnerable individuals need a safe space in their city.
With the increase in train and passenger incidents, Hochul and the MTA need to implement mental health hubs and improve police training to combat New York’s mental health crisis.
