NYC Health + Hospitals has announced the opening of a new Extended Care Unit (ECU) at its Elmhurst facility, designed to provide comprehensive treatment for patients with severe and persistent mental illness. The unit can accommodate up to 20 patients at a time and offers a range of therapeutic activities, including psychopharmacological treatment, music and art therapy, reading, and physical exercises aimed at enhancing patients’ well-being.
A distinctive feature of the unit is its focus on skill-building and community reintegration. Patients are encouraged to engage in daily tasks like doing their own laundry or curating art displays, activities that foster interpersonal communication and personal development. Staff also accompany patients on outings, including trips to the grocery store and subway, helping them re-acclimate to living independently within the community. Additionally, patients facing homelessness are supported in securing stable housing upon discharge.
The Elmhurst ECU marks the third such unit in the NYC Health + Hospitals system, following the successful launches of similar units at Bellevue in 2020 and Kings County in 2023. Together, these units have provided critical care to hundreds of patients, addressing the needs of individuals with complex mental health challenges.
A New Model for Mental Health Treatment
The Extended Care Unit represents an innovative model of inpatient care for individuals with serious mental health conditions who have historically been disconnected from both health and social services. The ECU approach combines intensive psychiatric treatment with social learning and behavioral therapy, all tailored to the patient’s individual needs. Treatment plans are designed around each patient’s goals, empowering them to develop essential life skills that promote community reintegration.
“We are now at a point where we are not just providing care, but also building a path for patients to re-enter society and live fulfilling lives,” said Dr. Omar Fattal, System Chief for Behavioral Health at NYC Health + Hospitals. “The ECU model has been proven to work, as evidenced by the significant improvements we have seen in patients’ outcomes, including a 50% success rate in connecting them to permanent housing and a substantial reduction in emergency department visits within the first six months following their stay.”
Patients admitted to the ECU have the option to stay for up to 120 days, with an average stay of 90 days—much longer than the typical 21-day stay in acute psychiatric inpatient care. This extended period allows for deeper engagement in treatment and rehabilitation, providing a critical opportunity for patients to build skills necessary for long-term recovery and independent living.
Supporting Recovery and Reintegration
“Since the start of our administration, we’ve worked tirelessly to reach individuals suffering from untreated severe mental illness,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “This new ECU will provide much-needed time for treatment, skills development, and transition planning, empowering patients on their journey to recovery.”
Helen Arteaga Landaverde, PhD, CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, emphasized the importance of expanding resources for patients facing severe mental illness. “This investment in extended care is critical for our community,” Landaverde said. “By offering a secure and supportive environment, we can help our patients heal and make progress toward recovery.”
Vladimir Gasca, MD, Director of Behavioral Health at Elmhurst, noted that the addition of the ECU further strengthens the hospital’s position as a leader in behavioral health services in Queens and New York City. “We are excited to expand our care modalities and work closely with Dr. Fattal’s team at Central Office to ensure the success of this important new unit,” Gasca said.
Building on Success
The ECU model has already shown positive results at Bellevue and Kings County, where it has improved patient outcomes and helped reconnect individuals to vital social services. “We are eager to replicate the success we’ve seen at Bellevue and Kings County here at Elmhurst,” said Carl Goodrich, PhD, Director of the Extended Care Unit at Elmhurst. “Our goal is to provide intensive treatment combined with rehabilitative activities, and to support our patients as they transition to stable housing and reintegrate into their communities.”
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest provider of behavioral health services in New York City, offering care to more than 75,000 patients annually across emergency, inpatient, and outpatient settings. The system’s investment in the Extended Care Units is part of its broader strategy to expand access to mental health care and ensure that vulnerable New Yorkers receive the treatment and support they need to lead productive lives.
A Vision for the Future
As NYC Health + Hospitals continues to expand its behavioral health services, the opening of the Elmhurst ECU represents a crucial step toward improving mental health care for some of New York City’s most underserved residents. With a focus on long-term care, skill-building, and community reintegration, the ECU model is poised to help patients achieve lasting recovery and reintegrate successfully into their communities.
By combining intensive psychiatric care with personalized rehabilitation strategies, the new unit offers a promising approach to addressing the complex needs of individuals living with severe mental illness. The hope is that, with continued investment and support, similar models will expand across the city, providing even more people with the opportunity to reclaim their lives and rebuild their futures.
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