Northwell Direct, NYPD Announce Finest Care: Free, Confidential Counseling for Police Officers

NEW HYDE PARK, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Northwell Direct and The New York Police Department today announced a new collaboration that will connect the 36,000 uniformed Members of Service with free, confidential counseling and other mental health services. Finest Care enables officers to call a confidential Northwell Health behavioral health access and navigation center to be assessed and linked to Northwell’s expansive network of psychologists and psychiatrists through the Northwell Direct provider network*. Northwell Direct is owned by Northwell Health, New York State’s largest health care provider and private employer.

“Northwell Direct is honored to be able to provide New York’s Finest with the highest-quality mental health services available,” said Nick Stefanizzi, CEO of Northwell Direct. “By providing a confidential and easy-to-use navigation service, we’re breaking down barriers and changing how behavioral health is accessed. With Finest Care, the dedicated public servants of the NYPD will be immediately connected to the help they need by making a simple phone call.”

The 24/7/365-day-a-week call center will be available for all uniformed Members of Service and all calls will be received and triaged by trained nurses and master-level therapists. If a Member of Service is experiencing an acute crisis, the nurse or therapist will be able to arrange for an appropriate and immediate medical response, including the dispatch of an ambulance or access to emergency tele-psychiatry services.

“We are excited to be able to increase police officer access to Northwell’s stellar behavioral therapy teams, and wide choice of venues, helping us provide Finest Care, everywhere,” said Eli Kleinman, MD, MPH, NYPD chief surgeon.

“Finest Care through Northwell Direct is an excellent resource for NYPD," said Lokesh Reddy, MD, NYPD deputy chief surgeon. “Our police officers will have more access to exceptional mental health services.”

“To best serve our women and men police officers, the NYPD is dedicated to ensuring the continuity of all aspects of our proactive and comprehensive wellness program,” said Dr. Adria Adams, the director of the NYPD’s Health and Wellness Section. “And our collaboration with Northwell Direct is integral to that important work. It ensures there is no interruption in accessing immediate mental health care, outside of the department, on an ongoing basis, in a comprehensive manner, and with a health partner that offers a large footprint of service facilities throughout our region. We know this continuation of the Finest Care program will meet our officers’ needs with the thoughtfulness and confidentiality they require.”

Appointments with a psychologist or psychiatrist for comprehensive evaluation and counseling will be available within 48 hours of the call for urgent issues. In-person or virtual visits will be offered to accommodate personal preference and schedule.

“Mental health disorders are among the most common illnesses in our communities, and they can have a severe impact on functioning and quality of life,” said Manish Sapra, MD, executive director of the behavioral health service line at Northwell Health. “Police officers face unique stressors not seen in the general public. We are confident this program will help reduce stigma associated with seeking and accepting help.”

Members of Service can be seen at Northwell Health facilities located in: Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, Manhasset, Bay Shore, Port Jefferson, Glen Oaks, and Ossining.

About Northwell Direct

Owned by Northwell Health, New York State’s largest health care provider and private employer, Northwell Direct uses an integrated health care management approach to help employers bend the cost curve, improve productivity and keep their employees and customers healthy. It brings together Northwell Health’s expertise in occupational health, infectious disease, workforce safety, employee benefits and wellness best-practices to provide employee health plan solutions and a broad range of customized services to employers across industries, including retailers, schools, sporting and entertainment venues and others throughout the tri-state area. For more information on Northwell Direct, visit Northwell.edu/direct. For information on Northwell Health’s more than 100 medical specialties, visit Northwell.edu and follow us @NorthwellHealth on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

*Northwell Direct’s provider network is provided through Northwell Direct Administrative Services Organization, Inc.