MCC Daily Tribune
SUNY Chancellor King Announces Mental Health First Aid Grants to Support Student Mental Health and Well-Being
Investment will Strengthen Mental Health Literacy and Crisis Intervention Capacity across SUNY Campuses
Albany, NY — State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. announced Thursday awards through SUNY’s Mental Health First Aid Grant Program, providing targeted funding to strengthen campus-wide approaches to student mental health and well-being across the SUNY System. The program will award up to $8,000 grants to 27 SUNY campuses, including 16 state-operated campuses and 11 community colleges. On an annual basis, when fully implemented, the funding is estimated to support the delivery of Mental Health First Aid training for almost 3,000 faculty, staff, and other non-clinical campus personnel, expanding campus capacity to recognize and respond to students in distress.
“Mental health is health, and our priority at SUNY is to advance every aspect of our students’ growth and to ensure they have the support needed to succeed in their academic, professional, and personal development,” said SUNY Chancellor King. “The grants provided through this innovative program will help ensure more SUNY staff and personnel are trained to recognize and address mental health concerns and to support students in need.”
The SUNY Board of Trustees said, “SUNY students and their loved ones deserve the peace of mind that comes from knowing there are supports and staff available to assist in case of mental health challenges or distress. This grant program will help ensure more faculty and SUNY personnel throughout the state will receive important training to take action and help those experiencing mental health distress.”
The Mental Health First Aid Grant Program was first announced as part of Chancellor King’s 2025 State of the University Policy Agenda (PDF) and reflects the SUNY Board of Trustees’ ongoing commitment to proactive, systemwide strategies that support student mental health. By extending training beyond campus counseling centers, this initiative equips faculty and staff with practical tools to provide timely, informed support and connect students with appropriate professional resources.
The grant funding announced by SUNY will support the creation and expansion of campus Mental Health First Aid programming, including instructor certification, campus-wide training delivery, required materials, and outreach efforts to strengthen mental health literacy. Campuses with existing Mental Health First Aid programs are encouraged to use the funding to expand training for additional students, faculty, and staff and, where appropriate, provide training opportunities to neighboring SUNY campuses.
Tramaine El-Amin, Vice President of Mental Health First Aid, said, “Faculty and staff are often the first to notice when a student is struggling, and they deserve practical, evidence-based tools to respond with confidence and care. These grants will help 27 SUNY campuses expand Mental Health First Aid training, so more educators and frontline staff can recognize the signs of mental health and substance use challenges, start supportive conversations, and connect people to appropriate resources. SUNY is making an important investment in campus wellbeing and in the everyday moments when being prepared can make a difference.”
Mental Health First Aid is a nationally recognized, evidence-based training program that teaches participants how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health challenges and substance use disorders. The training emphasizes early recognition, supportive response, and connection to professional help, reinforcing SUNY’s focus on prevention, awareness, and coordinated care. Additionally, the training will also include SUNY produced culturally competent supplemental materials.
State Assembly Majority Leader Crystal People-Stokes said, “The mental health of our young people is one of my top priorities this legislative session. We want our young people to succeed at school and in their future and being able to manage the ups and downs in life goes a long way in helping to foster that success. With the Mental Health First Aid Grant Program, SUNY is helping to expand mental health resources to our college students across the state.”
State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Senate Higher Education Committee Chair said, “On today’s SUNY campuses, the first person a student opens up to is often not a clinician—it's a professor, an advisor, or a staff member they trust. This investment gives 27 SUNY campuses the ability to train nearly 3,000 frontline employees to recognize warning signs early and respond appropriately. These grants are about meeting students where they are and making sure help is not out of reach when it matters most.”
State Senator Jacob Ashby said, “Everyone wants to help a person in crisis. This investment will make sure that, at Hudson Valley and on campuses across the state, faculty and staff know how to do so effectively. These trainings are very important. This is a prudent, targeted investment that will undoubtedly save lives and is in keeping with our bipartisan commitment to enhancing mental healthcare for our young people.”
State Senator George Borrello said, “Our colleges are not just places of learning, they are communities, and when students are struggling, we have a responsibility to make sure the people around them are prepared to help. I’m very pleased to see SUNY Fredonia, Jamestown Community College, and Genesee Community College included in this Mental Health First Aid Grant program. This funding will give faculty and staff the tools to recognize when a student is in distress, respond appropriately, and connect them with real help before a crisis escalates. That kind of early intervention can change lives, and it’s an important step toward making sure our campuses are safer, more supportive places for every student.”
State Senator Patricia Fahy said, “Our nation's mental health crisis is often most pronounced on our college campuses, with 41% of college students nationally reporting experiencing varying levels of depression, and 36% experiencing anxiety. For some, college can be both exciting and stressful, underscoring the importance of meeting students where they are on campus and enabling faculty and staff to rapidly spot and identify students who may experiencing mental health crises. I'm proud to have supported this funding in New York State's budget and I look forward to seeing how SUNY's Mental Health First Aid Grant program will help even more college students navigate their higher education, and life on campus, especially locally here at the University of Albany, SUNY.”
State Senator Michelle Hinchey said, “Students today are navigating unprecedented pressures, making it more important than ever that mental health support is visible and woven into campus life so that faculty and students are equipped to recognize when someone is struggling. I’m proud to support this investment at SUNY New Paltz, and on campuses across the state, and grateful to Chancellor King for making student mental health a clear priority.”
State Senator Monica Martinez said, “College is a time of excitement, possibility, and growth, but it can also be a challenging period in a person’s life. These grants will help SUNY campuses, including Farmingdale State College, respond more effectively to the mental health challenges students face. I am grateful for SUNY’s focus on student well-being and their academic success.”
State Senator Rachel May said, “With so much happening both inside and outside the classroom, college life can be stressful. Training additional SUNY personnel to better support students in managing the challenges of college life is crucial. It helps students enjoy a more productive, happier college experience and equips them with mental health tools to handle stressors throughout their careers. Thank you to Chancellor King and everyone in the SUNY system who prioritize our students’ mental health.”
State Senator Anthony Palumbo said, “The State and SUNY's investment in Mental Health programs, treatment and care, especially for students, is an important part of our combined efforts to foster a healthier New York. The Mental Health First Aid Grant program will provide Stony Brook University and campuses across the state with crucial training and resources to meet the mental health challenges of students and support them in their time of need.”
State Senator Christopher J. Ryan said, “This funding represents an important step toward a more comprehensive and supportive approach to student mental health in New York State. By expanding training across campuses, SUNY is strengthening support systems, reducing stigma, and ensuring that our colleges are better equipped to meet all of the needs of our students. When schools offer better care for their students, it makes it easier for students to thrive both academically and personally. I’d like to thank Chancellor King for reinforcing SUNY’s commitment to student support and success.”
State Senator Jim Tedisco said, “We know there is a mental health crisis in our state and these grants will help train SUNY Schenectady staff in helping to meet the needs of students to get them the assistance and support they need to lead healthy and successful lives.”
State Senator Lea Webb said, “I applaud Chancellor King for instituting the Mental Health First Aid Grant Program on SUNY campuses. This nationally recognized and evidence-based program will deliver critical training for faculty and staff to ensure that students in crisis receive timely and appropriate assistance. As a member of the Senate's Mental Health Committee, I was proud to support funding for this program in last year’s state budget. I am proud that SUNY Binghamton and Tompkins Cortland Community College will benefit from these critical mental health resources. Investing in mental health education strengthens our campus communities and ensures students have access to timely, compassionate support.”
State Assemblymember Pamela Hunter said, “Investing in student mental health means making sure help is available when and where students need it. These Mental Health First Aid grants, including support for Onondaga Community College, will help train faculty and staff across SUNY to better recognize signs of distress and respond with care and confidence. By equipping nearly 3,000 campus professionals with these tools, SUNY is taking a meaningful step to strengthen support systems and ensure students do not have to navigate mental health challenges alone.”
State Assemblymember Rebecca Kassay said, “I am pleased to see SUNY’s continued investment in student mental health through the Mental Health First Aid Grant Program. This funding will strengthen campus communities by equipping faculty and staff with the tools to recognize students in distress and connect them with appropriate support. I am especially proud that both Stony Brook University, which serves students in our district, and my alma mater, SUNY New Paltz, are among the campuses receiving this grant.”
State Assemblymember Donna Lupardo said, “Having worked in community mental health education myself, I recognize the importance of this type of investment. I'm glad to hear that 27 SUNY campuses, including Binghamton University, will benefit from this new program. This funding will help provide the training and resources necessary for a comprehensive approach to mental health on campuses across the state. Efforts like this will be well-received and definitely well-utilized.”
State Assemblymember John T. McDonald III, RPh said, “These Mental Health First Aid grants help ensure that students are met with understanding and timely support when they need it most. I commend SUNY for investing in prevention and mental health literacy resources that strengthen campus communities across our state.”
State Assemblymember Brian Miller said, “As a member of the Assembly Committee on Higher Education, I strongly support efforts that expand mental health resources for our SUNY students. This targeted investment will equip faculty and staff with the tools necessary to support students, including right here in the 122nd Assembly District at SUNY Oneonta. Strengthening our campus safety nets is critical, and I’m pleased to see SUNY taking proactive steps to support student well-being. Thank you to Chancellor King and SUNY for the continued investment for our students.”
State Assemblymember Kwani B. O’Pharrow said, “I strongly support SUNY’s Mental Health First Aid Grant program and the critical investment it represents in student well-being. By expanding mental health training for faculty and staff across SUNY campuses—including Farmingdale State College—this funding will strengthen early identification and effective response efforts, ensuring students receive the support they need to succeed and thrive in higher education.”
State Assemblymember Gabriella A. Romero said, “Mental health support is an essential part of any community, and this extends to our college campuses. No student should feel alone. That’s why I’m proud to support SUNY’s Mental Health First Aid Program, which is giving grants to 27 campuses in New York State. This program provides important training that will help ensure campus personnel can respond effectively to students’ needs here in my Assembly District at UAlbany and other SUNY schools across the state. As a state representative, I am committed to supporting initiatives that keep New Yorkers safe and healthy. I’m glad to see effective measures such as this being taken by SUNY.”
State Assemblymember Joe Sempolinski said, “I want to thank Chancellor King for making these Mental Health First Aid training grants to 27 SUNY campuses across New York, including Alfred State College. As Ranking Member of the Assembly Mental Health Committee and a member of the Higher Education Committee, I know how important it is to take a proactive approach to student mental health and well-being. This training will help SUNY faculty, staff and students recognize when someone is in distress and respond appropriately.”
State Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky said, “Higher education provides an opportunity to provide critical services to people—in addition to education and professional training—and to do so at a pivotal time in their lives. That is why I supported funding to launch the SUNY Mental Health First Aid grant program. I anticipate that we will see immediate benefits from this investment, and I thank Chancellor King for his leadership and dedication to the wellbeing of our SUNY and CUNY students.”
The SUNY campuses which will receive grants through the Mental Health First Aid Grant Program include:
- State University of New York at Albany
- Alfred State College
- State University of New York at Binghamton
- SUNY Brockport
- State University of New York at Buffalo
- Clinton Community College
- Farmingdale State College
- Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)
- SUNY Fredonia
- Genesee Community College
- SUNY Geneseo
- Hudson Valley Community College
- Jamestown Community College
- SUNY Maritime College
- SUNY Morrisville
- SUNY New Paltz
- SUNY Niagara Community College
- SUNY Oneonta
- Onondaga Community College
- SUNY College of Optometry
- SUNY Oswego
- SUNY Plattsburgh
- SUNY Schenectady County Community College
- State University of New York at Stony Brook
- Sullivan County Community College
- Tompkins Cortland Community College
- Westchester Community College
SUNY has led efforts to support students’ mental health and to advance efforts to train more mental health professionals in New York State. Thanks to increased State investment in SUNY, the SUNY Board of Trustees now allocates nearly $10 million in recurring annual funding to support state-operated campuses in expanding mental health services and $3 million in recurring annual funding to support mental health services at community colleges. SUNY also has an easy-to-use website to support students who may be struggling with mental health distress to identify support services and available resources. In July 2025, Chancellor King announced the fourth class of SUNY/OMH Scholarship Program recipients, as part of the SUNY effort to strengthen the pipeline of mental health professionals from diverse backgrounds, with a focus on serving New Yorkers who may have historically lacked access to quality mental health care.
About the State University of New York
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state's only college of optometry, 12 Educational Opportunity Centers, over 30 ATTAIN digital literacy labs, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.7 million students across its portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2025, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and one in three New Yorkers with a college degree is a SUNY alum.
Veronica Chiesi Brown
Community Relations
01/09/2026