A community wellness and mental health event in Crown Heights on Sept. 19 brought residents, families and service organizations together to discuss early intervention and alternatives to police-led responses during mental health crises, according to Caribbean Life.
The event was hosted by state Assemblymember Monique Chandler-Waterman, the Montgomery Block Association and the Daniel’s Law Coalition.
The gathering connected residents with representatives from community organizations and public agencies offering mental health, family, youth, immigration, employment and other support services.
“Services must be accessible to get some early advice and that is one of the reasons why some agencies involved with mental health and other agencies with specialized expertise are here to meet you at an early stage of the problem,” said Brooklyn-based state Assemblymember Monique Chandler-Waterman.
Participants were able to visit information tables and learn about resources available before a mental health concern develops into an emergency.
The event also focused on the experiences of families affected by mental health crises. Families who had lost relatives shared their experiences, while photographs of 21 people were displayed as a memorial.
The display emphasized the personal consequences of untreated or inadequately supported mental health needs and the importance of reaching families before a crisis becomes more severe.
Chandler-Waterman, who represents Brooklyn’s 58th Assembly District, has worked on mental health legislation and has supported Daniel’s Law-related initiatives. Her district includes Crown Heights. The state Assembly profile identifies mental health among the committees on which she serves.
New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams also attended the event. His involvement comes as Daniel’s Law remains part of the broader debate over how New York responds to behavioral health emergencies.
The state’s Daniel’s Law Task Force has examined community and public health-based crisis response and diversion services, while legislation introduced in 2026 would establish statewide emergency crisis response councils.
The event ended with food, music and dancing, giving residents an opportunity to connect with participating organizations.
The organizers’ emphasis on early intervention and community-based resources reflects continuing efforts to expand access to mental health support and develop alternatives to relying primarily on law enforcement during behavioral health emergencies.
