CVS Health partners with Northside Center in support of mental health clinics

NEW YORK — Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, New York City Councilperson Corey Johnson and Northside Center for Child Development earlier this week announced a new partnership with CVS Health to expand mental health clinics in public and charter schools across New York City.



"Northside Center's historic commitment to New York City's children is unparalleled, and we are proud to support their life changing work," commented David Denton, EVP and CFO for CVS Health. "These clinics serve students who need the most help, but often have the least access to critical mental health services. We look forward to continuing to work with Northside Center and city officials to expand quality and affordable health care so more children living in poverty can lead healthy and fulfilling lives."



With a $200,000 corporate grant from CVS Health, the new partnership will infuse $50,000 annually to expand the mental health clinics' footprint and serve more children in New York over the next four years.



"We are incredibly grateful to partner with, and have the support of, an organization like CVS Health, who has made it their mission to provide individuals with the resources, access to treatment, and medicine they need," stated Thelma Dye, Hilde L. Mosse executive director and CEO of Northside Center. "This partnership and funding allows us to continue to sustain and expand our mental health satellite clinics in New York City schools, giving us the opportunity to provide counseling and therapy for children from underserved communities, who may otherwise not get the treatment they need."



Since 2010, Northside Center has operated mental health clinics in Harlem and the Bronx, currently serving more than 300 students in 11 schools. By bringing these clinics directly into school environments, it allows Northside to meet students where they are, and more effectively serve children with a variety of emotional and mental health issues.



To date, the program has successfully reduced "no-show" rates to therapy sessions from 30% to less than 10%.



Northside Center and CVS Health most recently partnered in May 2016 to host a health fair in East Harlem, which featured information from community health providers, free health screenings and services, along with gift giveaways.