NEW YORK - A new mental health clinic is open in Manhattan with the goal of serving New Yorkers living with HIV and AIDS.

The Gay Men's Health Crisis has been active in the city since the early days of the AIDS epidemic.

But only recently has it been licensed by the state to provide outpatient mental health services.

The new Carl Jacobs Mental Health Clinic in Chelsea is designed for 24-hour emergency support.

With a goal of wiping out AIDS in New York State by 2020, the organization says mental health support is critical.

"We know that untreated mental health issues is a driver of the epidemic. Because mental health issues can lead someone to not stick to their medication regimen, or prevent someone from taking their prevention drugs," said GMHC Ceo Kelsey Louie.

GMHC offers services to adult New Yorkers of all sexual orientations, gender identities, income levels, and HIV statuses.

To learn more, check out gmhc.org.