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HealthTop Story

NYCHA Hosts First Community Mental Health Summit

LaToya

Supporting a neighbor, friend, or family member through a mental health challenge is everyone’s duty. Building on that shared responsibility and care, NYCHA hosted its first-ever Community Mental Health Summit on December 6, 2025, at The New School, bringing together residents, community leaders, service providers, and City agency partners for a day of learning, connection, and healing.  

The Summit focused on deepening understanding of mental health and wellbeing while strengthening the ability to prevent and respond to mental health needs across NYCHA communities. It was organized in partnership with the NYCHA Mental Health Task Force, which brings together residents and partners to advance access to mental health and wellbeing supports that decrease stigma and nurture health, opportunity, and empowerment. 

NYCHA Mental Health Task Force member Towanna Peacock.
NYCHA Mental Health Task Force Member Jamilla Daise was one of the speakers at the event.

Approximately 90 attendees participated in the Summit’s interactive workshops, storytelling, and resource-building. Workshop topics included intergenerational trauma and healing practices, mental health 101 and education and awareness, substance use and recovery, supporting NYCHA’s youth, and crisis prevention and response. 

man standing at podium
Dr. Paul Archibald

The Summit was kicked off with words from Dr. Paul Archibald, who grew up at NYCHA’s Mariner’s Harbor development and is an associate professor, Master of Social Work program director, and Chair of the Department of Social Work at CUNY’s College of Staten Island. “One in 16 New Yorkers is a NYCHA resident,” Dr. Archibald said. “Today we gather together to make a change. We can actually lead the way for all New Yorkers to build community that supports mental health.”  

Facilitators and speakers represented a wide range of expertise and lived experience, including NYCHA Resident Health Initiatives staff, resident leaders, academic partners, City agencies, and community-based organizations. Partners who hosted the Summit included The New School Center for Global Mental Health, the Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health, and the NYC Health Department. 

Shetara Turner, a NYCHA resident who is also the Smoke-Free NYCHA Senior Liaison, gave a presentation at the Summit. “Today, we learned about how mental health and healing happens in a community,” she said. “It’s important to know about available resources. You never know when you can help connect a neighbor or family member or friend.” 

NYCHA’s Senior VP for Resident Services, Partnerships & Initiatives Kathleen Corradi
NYCHA Community Mental Health Partnership Manager Stephen Antony Beasley and Community Mental Health Task Force Member Towanna Peacock.

In a post-Summit survey, more than 90 percent of the respondents indicated that because of the Summit they feel better equipped to prevent or respond to a mental health crisis. Participants also said: 

  • “I feel more prepared because it reminds me that mental health resources are powerful ways to impact not just one person but the network they belong to.   
  • “I feel equipped to be a beacon of information.” 
  • “I can help others understand they’re not alone.” 
  • “I definitely feel equipped to assist and help these crises.” 

NYCHA resident Norma Alexander echoed her fellow residents’ feelings about the resources provided: “The presentation on prevention and response was amazing. This is the level of information I have been seeking.” 

NYCHA Community Mental Health Partnership Manager Stephen Antony Beasley, who helped organize the event, said the Summit “was an amazing day of passion, caring, listening, and learning; it is my great hope that residents and partners continue to grow work to build awareness and education, community wellness, and crisis prevention and response to build sustainable approaches that improve community mental health and wellbeing across NYCHA communities.” 

Join in! NYCHA residents from all boroughs are invited to participate in an upcoming training: 

Seeding Change: Care in Complex Conditions 

Virtual Training Session IN ENGLISH 

Thursday, January 22, 2026 

5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. 

Register here: https://www.academy4cbh.org/courses/seeding-change-care-in-complex-conditions-nycha/  

Community Mental Wellness and Resilience  

Virtual Workshop IN SPANISH 
Tuesday, January 27, 2026 

6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. 

Register here: https://nycha.timetap.com/  

Community Mental Wellness and Resilience 

Virtual Workshop IN ENGLISH 

Wednesday, January 28, 2026  

6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. 

Registration Link: https://nycha.timetap.com/ 

Do you have an idea or question about community mental health? Email NYCHA’s Resident Health Initiatives team at mental.health@nycha.nyc.gov.  

Learn more about available support for you, your families, neighbors, and friends here. 

Featured photo caption: NYCHA Community Mental Health Task Force Member and Vladeck Houses Resident Association President Jeffrey Tineo led participants in an activity at the event.