Northwell Health’s Staten Island University Hospital has launched LINK: Linkage, Intake, and Navigation for Kids, a new program offering children and adolescents rapid access to behavioral health services. The initiative aims to address the growing mental health crisis among youth in New York, where families face increasing barriers such as high costs, provider shortages, and long wait times.
LINK is available for children and teens ages five to 17, providing an immediate entry point into mental health care. This comes at a time when nearly half of teenagers in New York City report depressive symptoms, and suicide remains a leading cause of death for children aged 10 to 14. State data indicates that many mental health issues begin during childhood or adolescence, highlighting the need for early intervention.
The program supports Mission Zero, a borough-led suicide prevention effort developed in response to rising pediatric suicide rates during the Covid-19 pandemic. By focusing on rapid assessment and coordinated navigation, LINK aligns with Mission Zero’s goals of prevention and community-based support. The hospital hopes LINK will serve not only local needs but also as a model that could be expanded elsewhere as demand grows.
Northwell leaders emphasized that Staten Island has historically had less access to behavioral health services compared to other parts of New York City. They say programs like LINK help reinforce the borough’s role within the wider health system and improve access to care close to home.
“As a Staten Islander, I am deeply proud of the investments Northwell makes here and of our colleagues who tirelessly advocate for more services on this island. While Staten Island is sometimes viewed as the ‘forgotten borough,’ efforts like this remind us that we are far from forgotten and we will continue working to ensure it never is,” said Deepa Avula, MPH, SVP of Northwell’s behavioral health service line and president of Zucker Hillside Hospital and South Oaks Hospital.
The event marking the launch was attended by hospital staff as well as Richmond County District Attorney Michael McMahon; Ginny Mantello, MD, director of health and wellness for the office of Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella; and Michael J. Pardo representing New York City Councilmember David M. Carr.
