New York’s mental health workforce has been “impacted dramatically” by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Glenn Liebman, CEO of the Mental Health Association in New York State.

Liebman argues more needs to be done to recruit and retain workers in the strained health care system.

Liebman is advocating for an 8.5% increase in pay for these workers as the cost of living skyrockets due to rising inflation.

Liebman argues that the state saves millions of dollars by investing in mental health care because people are being treated rather than experiencing homelessness, being in an emergency room or the criminal justice system.