About NYCAT
According to the Surgeon General, about 20% of children are estimated to have a mental disorder, with 5-9% of children having severe functional impairment or serious emotional disturbances. Of the total number of children and adolescents suffering at least mild functional impairment, fewer than 1 in 5 receive treatment. While it is estimated that approximately 33,000 child and adolescent psychiatrists are needed to adequately treat children in the U.S., there are only 7,000 child and adolescent psychiatrists in the U.S. today.

In recognition of this growing need, OMH's Division of Child and Family Services has established the New York Child and Adolescent Telepsychiatry (NYCAT) program. This initiative is currently funded to address child psychiatric consultation needs in areas with health care shortages. OMH has contracted with Columbia University's Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and The Professional Practice Group (PPG) of the Department of Psychiatry at the SUNY Upstate Medical University to deliver psychiatric consultations. Columbia University will cover New York City, Long Island, and the Hudson River Regions. The Upstate Medical University PPG will cover the Western and Central Regions. NYCAT is a key component of the New York State Office of Mental Health's goal to increase access to appropriate and effective services.

About Telepsychiatry