Overview
The Rockland County Department of Mental Health is a community mental health center funded by State and County government.  The Department delivers a comprehensive array of mental health and chemical dependency services to the citizens of Rockland County.  Services are available to anyone in need on a 24-hour basis and are coordinated with other mental health, health and social service agencies as required.

 Since commencement of operation on January 1, 1970, the Department of Mental Health quickly achieved a unique status within the State of New York mental hygiene service system and has earned national reputation.  Since 1975, the Department of Mental Health has participated in a select planning-funding mechanism with the State of New York known as Unified Services.  The Department is the core and lead agency of the Rockland County Unified Services system.  As such, the Department is responsible for the planning, coordination, administration and budgetary oversight of a comprehensive and integrated system in which County, State and voluntary not-for-profit agencies deliver mental health, mental retardation and alcohol/substance abuse services.  Rockland County Unified Services received a Significant Achievement Award from the American Psychiatric Association (APA) in 1983 in recognition of its comprehensive service system, and shared the 1985 APA Gold Award for its contribution to treatment of young adult chronic psychiatric patients. 

The towns and villages of Rockland County have not experienced the problems with the mentally ill and homeless mentally ill as has occurred in other parts of the State and nation.  This is due, in large part, to the comprehensive range of inpatient, outpatient, residential and community support services offered by the Department and other Unified Services agencies.  These services provide the ongoing treatment and supports necessary to keep these individuals psychiatrically stable and help them function in the community.