Transcript: Mayor de Blasio, First Lady McCray Deliver Remarks At Caribbean American Chamber Of Commerce And Industry Reception

February 18, 2017

Mayor Bill de Blasio: Well everybody, it has been a long day in Albany, hasn’t it?

Is that not right my Congresswoman – long day in Albany.

[Laughter]

But I want to thank everyone for being here to support the great work of [inaudible] which has for years – remember this – for years been establishing the idea that there was so much we could do neighborhood by neighborhood to support small business, to help people create jobs and uplift the community. That’s what happened in this organization year in and year out including when it was not easy.

Is anybody out there?

[Cheers]

Okay, good. Which means we have to thank Roy Houston for all he has done – all the leadership he has provided, let’s thank him.

[Applause]

Now, I’m just going to say something very simple to you; the City of New York believes in supporting small businesses. The City of New York believes in righting the wrongs of history. And so we have committed ourselves to a goal that 30 percent of all city contracts will go to minority and women-owned businesses.

[Applause]

And we need your help getting the most businesses certified, getting the most opportunity in the hands of people who will then create real opportunity neighborhood by neighborhood. So, I want to thank you for all you do, but we need you to help us build and go farther in this city.

The other thing I want to say to you before I introduce my wife is this is a tough moment in history. It is difficult to turn on the television lately. I don’t know how Yvette Clarke does it because she has to go to Washington D.C. every week.

[Laughter]

That’s not easy.

[Applause]

Thank you, Yvette.

But it is also a transcendent moment. And it may not feel like it sometimes. We may feel behind the eight ball. We may rightfully fear the challenges, but look at the way people are organizing all over this country. And may I thank the women of this country and the three million people who came out on January 21st all over this nation to stand up for the rights of women.

[Applause]

That is just a small example of the changes that will be made by the people, by the organizing and mobilizing of the people in this country. It is already beginning. So, don’t let Donald Trump get you down because the people will have the final say my friends.

Now, I have the great pleasure of introducing my partner in all things, but I want to introduce her with this simple point; in this city that we love – I know we’re in Albany now, but I’m going to speak about New York City. In our City with eight-and-a-half million people – for generations people have suffered in silence because as a society we could not talk about the truth of mental health. We couldn’t acknowledge the challenge that everyone, every family was touched by it; that somehow there was a taboo that kept us from acknowledging it. That wasn’t good, that wasn’t fair, and it wasn’t right. Someone decided to do something about it. And she made the focus of her work as First Lady a change, a revolution in how we approach all of our families, all of our loved ones including those with mental health challenges who need our support. And it is having a profound impact.

So, I want to introduce to you someone who had the [inaudible] and the focus to say we can change; we could break down the stigma, we could reach people who never got reached before and it is time to do it now. And she is making it happen now in New York City – our First Lady, Chirlane McCray.

[Applause]

First Lady Chirlane McCray: Good evening, everyone. I’m very happy to be here with all of you my brothers and sisters. I’m going to be brief. I want to thank you for standing up for New Yorkers, especially our Caribbean brothers and sisters. I want to thank you for protecting the progress that we have made in this country and thank you for being strong and determined and ready to fight. We’ve got to be ready to fight – this is a rough situation we’re in.

You know, we all like to feel good so that we could do what we got to do and that is why I’m doing work that I’m doing – make sure that everyone gets the mental health services that they need. We are all affected. This is part of the human condition just like Bill said; one in five is the number. But because there are so many of us who are affected we have to remember that all of us could be part of the solutions. So, I want to ask three things of you: one, take a mental health first aid class. We all know what to do if someone is bleeding, right – apply pressure, [inaudible]. We should know what to do if someone is suffering from a panic attack or depression or some other mental health condition. We should know this and we can. Mental health first aid classes are free. You can sign up online at NYC.gov/ThriveNYC.

Number two, talk to your clergy members. We had a mental health weekend last year – last May – that was so successful. We had the ministers, pastors, rabbis – everybody putting mental health at the top of their agenda and making it a public conversation so that we don’t have this fear and stigma and shame about something that is just a disease like every other disease like asthma and diabetes.

We had 1,000 houses of worship participate last year. We want to do even better this year.

[Applause]

So, I know if you talk to the people you know – talk to your folks get them involved. We would love to have them and we’ll help them with tool kits and resources so they know what to say to their congregations.

And number three; we have a new connection to mental health care. It’s only one click or one call away. You can talk to a trained mental health counselor or a peer or get connected to a provider. It’s very – it’s free. It’s confidential and it is available in more than 200 languages – and 365 days a year, 24/7.

[Applause]

And I’m going to give you the number. It’s for you or for a loved one – 1-888-NYC-WELL.

Please repeat it after me:

1-8-8-8-NYC-WELL.

One more time.

1-8-8-8-NYC-WELL.

You can call that number for yourself or a loved one and it’s free. Remember that number please and thank you. I love you all.

[Applause]