New York City Opens New 16–25 Clinics To Cut ER Visits And Keep Young Adults In Therapy And Primary Care
New York, NY — Two new youth-focused clinics are opening inside NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull in Brooklyn and NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens, aiming to help New Yorkers ages 16 to 25 stay connected to primary and behavioral health care during the often-disruptive transition out of pediatric services.
City officials and health system leaders said the “Elevate You” clinics are designed to reduce emergency room visits and improve long-term outcomes by offering a consistent care team as teens move into adulthood. MetroPlusHealth is supporting the effort with $4 million, and MetroPlusHealth claims data cited by the partners show nearly 90% of youth stop seeing their mental health provider after turning 21.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani joined NYC Health + Hospitals and MetroPlusHealth to announce the launch, framing the clinics as a way to keep young people supported as pressures around school, work, relationships, and housing increase.
The clinics will offer behavioral health and primary care alongside reproductive care, vocational and educational supports, and other social services. The multidisciplinary team includes a social worker, psychiatrist, nurse, youth peer, and family advocate, according to the health system.
For families, clinicians recommend planning ahead before a teen’s 21st birthday: ask current providers about transition appointments, confirm insurance coverage and referrals, and keep a written list of medications and past diagnoses to avoid gaps in treatment.
NYC Health + Hospitals said additional youth mental health efforts include school-based clinics and programs connecting public school students to care, with updates expected through the health system’s channels.
