The wife of the mayor of New York is going to help suffering from mental illness

Chirlein McCray, spouse of the head of New York, Bill de Blasio and head of the Mayor's Fund for Advance of New York City, has launched a new campaign. The first lady of New York hopes to draw attention to the problem of mental illness, the attitude of society to them, as well as to health care in this area.

At a thematic conference in Brooklyn on mental illness, she shared her story and her daughter’s history of depression. Chirlein said that she went through periods of “bitter despair” in childhood, and only later realized that these were symptoms of depression.

Xnumx-year-old Chiara, daughter of Bill de Blasio and Chirlein McCray, suffered from depression during adolescence, which led to the abuse of alcohol and marijuana. The daughter of the then future mayor told about this in a video posted on YouTube and collecting more than a million views.

“What happened to Chiara was literally happening in front of our noses,” says McCray. “When my daughter shared with us what was happening to her at that moment, my attitude towards depression and mental illnesses changed dramatically. What happened came as a shock to me.”

Cheerlein McCrane says the team under her control will develop a roadmap to connect with people who have mental illness and do not receive any treatment, and help them. This will require coordinating the efforts of psychotherapists, municipal services and community organizations.

In an interview with Newsday, McCrane said that she would like to “get rid of the negative stereotypes surrounding mental illness.”

“We're ignoring the problem,” says Chirlane McCrane. “We turn a blind eye to her.”

“Our family is lucky,” Chirlane said, sharing the story of her daughter Chiara’s struggle with depression. “But even for us it was very difficult to find a way to help Chiara.” Imagine what it would be like for the 46% of New Yorkers living at risk of poverty if they faced a similar problem? What is it like for immigrants who don't speak English? Elderly? Former prisoners who have been released?”

McCrane wants to use his powers as head of the New York Mayor Foundation to raise private donations for the implementation of this roadmap. Chiara de Blasio will also participate in this campaign.