NYU Langone Opens Psychiatric Emergency Program in Sunset Park
The state-funded $7 million expansion adds 17 beds to a 35-bed psychiatric emergency department in Brooklyn.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Mental Health
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NYU Langone Hospital -- Brooklyn opened a Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program in Sunset Park in October, adding 17 beds to its existing 35-bed psychiatric emergency department. The 2,700-square-foot unit was funded by the state of New York at a cost of $7 million.
Why it matters
The expansion aims to increase access to emergency mental health services for people in active behavioral health crises in New York City. Sunset Park's poverty rate of around 20% is higher than the citywide average of 18%.
The program's capacity is measured by 17 added beds and five extended observation beds, funded at $7 million by New York State. Outcomes and patient volumes since the October opening have not been reported.
The players
NYU Langone Hospital -- Brooklyn
A hospital in the NYU Langone Health system that operates the new psychiatric emergency program in Sunset Park.
Augustana Family Health Center
A health center owned by NYU Langone, located across the street from the hospital, that houses the program's mobile crisis team and offers sliding scale fees.
The details
The program provides three-day care regardless of insurance coverage, with patients monitored closely in one of five extended observation beds. It connects patients with outpatient providers, including the Augustana Family Health Center across the street, which is owned by NYU Langone and houses the CPEP's mobile crisis team. The program does not provide long-term care, and the health center offers a sliding scale fee for uninsured patients.
Timeline
October 2026: The Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program opened in Sunset Park.
Big Picture
The expansion extends New York State's public funding of psychiatric emergency capacity into Sunset Park, where the poverty rate runs above the citywide average. It adds to the city's emergency mental health response as 911 calls for mental health arrive every three minutes.
Patients in a psychiatric crisis can receive up to three days of monitored care at the Sunset Park program regardless of insurance coverage. Uninsured patients can use the sliding scale fee at the connected health center across the street.
The takeaway
Access to emergency psychiatric care in Brooklyn now includes more beds and a clear path to outpatient follow-up. Anyone in a mental health crisis can seek care at the Sunset Park program regardless of insurance.
Further reading
For broader context on crisis care, explore Mental Health coverage across New York City.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Washington Square News.
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