Governor Kathy Hochul honored 10 bilingual mental health professionals during a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at the Hispanic Society Museum & Library in Manhattan. The event, titled “Bridging Voices, Healing Minds: Celebrating Bilingual Mental Health Providers,” brought together leaders and influencers from New York’s Latino community. Hochul issued a proclamation in both English and Spanish declaring September 15 to October 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month in New York State.
“New York is as vibrant as it is thanks to our Hispanic communities and today at my Annual Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, we honor their immense contributions to our state,” Governor Hochul said. “Today’s event was also an important opportunity to recognize care professionals who are going above and beyond to serve Hispanic communities throughout the state. Addressing the Mental health crisis has been one of my top priorities, and knowing that the Latino community can face higher rates of mental health challenges, I’m especially proud to recognize bilingual professionals who are making a real difference and reminding anyone in need of help that they are never alone.”
The honorees represent organizations serving disadvantaged communities across New York, including Astor Services, Bronxworks, Coalition for Children and Families, Comunilife, and West Islip Youth Enrichment Services (YES). Among those recognized were Carmen Torres and Denize Da Silva-Siegel from Astor Services; Noel Concepcion and Barbara Miliano from Bronxworks; Lewanny Vargas and Betty Candelier from the Coalition for Children and Families; Lizurka Tejada and Chasity Ortiz from Comunilife; Maria Olsen and Astrid Garrido from West Islip YES.
The recognition aligns with Governor Hochul’s ongoing efforts to address mental health needs statewide. In recent years, New York has increased psychiatric bed capacity by adding nearly 1,000 beds since Hochul took office. This includes expansions at both community-based hospitals and state-operated psychiatric centers.
In the latest state budget, funding was secured for new Youth Safe Spaces aimed at providing supportive environments for young people. There is also continued support for expanding Teen Mental Health First Aid training in high schools.
Governor Hochul announced $15 million over five years through the Connecting Youth to Mental Health Supports program. The initiative will fund community-based providers developing suicide prevention strategies for youth in underserved populations, including racial minorities, LGBTQ+ groups, and rural areas.
Nearly 1,200 school-based mental health clinics now operate across about a quarter of all public schools in New York State. The Community Mental Health Loan Repayment Program provides about $45 million annually toward loan repayment for more than 1,400 mental health professionals—prioritizing clinicians who offer language access or come from underrepresented backgrounds.
Partnerships with SUNY and CUNY aim to increase workforce diversity by offering tuition assistance, paid internships, and stipends for multilingual students pursuing mental health degrees.
The state has also developed more specialized housing options associated with its mental health initiatives—over 1,200 units are operational with another 2,200 under development—to support individuals living with mental illness.
Additionally, the Safe Options Support program has helped permanently house over 1,400 individuals since its launch in spring 2022 through teams working throughout New York City’s boroughs as well as other counties statewide.
Representative Adriano Espaillat said, “I commend Governor Hochul on today’s announcement to fund innovative programs to help reduce suicide risk among young people from marginalized communities. Together, we are continuing our collective efforts to address mental health disparities among minority populations, remove barriers that families face when seeking help, and ensure these critical health resources are accessible for all.”
Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie said, “Providing mental health services is crucial, particularly in areas that serve at-risk populations. Bilingual mental health providers not only meet a pressing need but also enable their clients to feel at home while speaking their native language, alleviating the already challenging process of seeking assistance. Congratulations to all the honorees for your hard work and dedication in this demanding field, your contributions are truly remarkable. I would also like to extend a special congratulations to Carmen Torres, MPS, and Denize Da Silva-Siegel,MD,MS, of Astor Services for their unwavering support in delivering necessary resources to the Northeast Bronx Community, a place I call home.”
State Senator Robert Jackson said: “Language is not just a tool of communication—it is a vessel of care, culture, and connection. For generations, too many New Yorkers have suffered in silence because mental health care did not speak their language or understand their story. Today’s recognition of bilingual mental health professionals is a recognition of dignity itself: the right to be heard, to be treated, and to be healed in the fullness of one’s identity. I commend Governor Hochul for honoring those who bridge the cultural and linguistic divides that too often separate our communities from the care they deserve. When we invest in bilingual care, we invest in justice—because equity in mental health is equity in humanity.”
State Senator Jamaal Bailey added: “Governor Hochul’s recognition of bilingual mental health professionals highlights the importance of accessibility in healthcare. By uplifting those who serve our most vulnerable communities, we honor the professionals working each day to make mental health care more equitable and compassionate. Thank you to Governor Hochul and to the honorees at Astor Services, BronxWorks, Coalition for Children and Families, and Comunilife for your commitment to health, justice, and community service.”
State Senator Samra Brouk stated: “Mental health services must be accessible and equitable to reflect the diverse residents of New York State. I applaud Governor Hochul for recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month in our state and for honoring bilingual providers, who improve culturally competent mental health care and help close the gap between need and access for our most underserved communities.”
Assemblymember John T. McDonald III said: “Congratulations to Lewanny and Betty for their well-deserved recognition by Governor Hochul during Hispanic Heritage month. I appreciate the Governor recognizing these critical members of our community, especially in the critical world of mental health. As a health care provider myself I know how critical it is for individuals to feel comfortable discussing their physical and mental health with someone who understands their challenges and Lewanny and Betty are excellent examples of those who know the community and help meet individuals where they are at. I appreciate the work they have done and will continue to do, as they are making individuals lives better, especially in these challenging times.”
Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon commented: “I applaud Governor Hochul for recognizing the critical role bilingual mental health providers play in breaking down barriers and expanding access to care in underserved communities. These dedicated professionals not only provide culturally competent support but also help ensure that no New Yorker is left behind in times of need.”
Assemblymember Al Taylor added: “As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, I’m deeply proud to see bilingual mental health professionals being recognized for the bridge they build between language, culture, and care. In communities like ours, where too many still struggle in silence, these professionals are breaking barriers and saving lives. Governor Hochul’s recognition reminds us that access to mental health support must reflect the diversity of the people we serve because healing begins when people feel seen and understood.”
Guillaume Kientz, Director & CEO of Hispanic Society Museum & Library said: “The Hispanic Society is honored to welcome Governor Kathy Hochul and her guests to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. As the leading institution dedicated to preserving and exhibiting art and artifacts from over 32 countries across the Americas Spain Portugal and the Philippines we are thrilled to join in celebrating our vibrant cultures and the invaluable contributions of the communities represented in our collections.”
Organizations such as Astor Services have provided children’s mental health services since 1953; BronxWorks continues its commitment with over half its clients identifying as Latino; Comunilife served more than 4,000 homeless or low-income New Yorkers last year; West Islip YES focuses on Suffolk County families living below poverty level; while Coalition for Hispanic Family Services remains NYC’s only Latino foster care agency with fully bilingual staff supporting comprehensive family needs.
