Health and Wellness in Prospect Park

Prospect Park Alliance and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, in partnership with Neighborhood Housing Services of Brooklyn, have launched Open Air Care Connections which seeks to remove the stigma around mental healthcare through community health outreach, events and educational programs.

According to a Health Department opinion poll, nearly 25% of all New Yorkers reported experiencing anxiety, and nearly 18% reported experiencing depression. Nearly 50% of those who expressed needing mental health support felt that they did not know did not know where to go to get services or how to access them. 

Time spent in nature and green spaces like Prospect Park helps reduce stress, relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression, and boost cognition, attention, and sleep quality. Green spaces also give communities vital places to gather together, strengthening social ties and lessening isolation. The Alliance and the Health Department will build upon these health benefits to address mental health and engage park-goers to assess their needs and provide direct referrals to find support for emotional health, substance use, physical health, housing, career, education and food-access concerns.