ALBANY, N.Y. — The State University of New York (SUNY) system has awarded grants to 27 campuses to implement or expand Mental Health First Aid training. Chancellor John B. King Jr. announced the funding distribution on January 8 as part of a broader strategy to enhance crisis intervention capabilities and mental health literacy across the university system.
The program provides grants of up to $8,000 to 16 state-operated campuses and 11 community colleges. University officials estimate that, once fully implemented, the funding will support training for approximately 3,000 faculty, staff, and non-clinical personnel annually. The goal of the program to increase the number of campus employees qualified to recognize and respond to students in distress.
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“Mental health is health, and our priority at SUNY is to advance every aspect of our students’ growth,” Chancellor King stated in a press release. “The grants provided… will help ensure more SUNY staff and personnel are trained to recognize and address mental health concerns.”
Building Mental Health Support Networks Across SUNY Campuses
This grant program is a component of the 2025 State of the University Policy Agenda. The initiative reflects the SUNY Board of Trustees’ focus on proactive strategies for student well-being. By training general faculty and staff, the system aims to extend support networks beyond traditional counseling centers, equipping personnel to connect students with professional resources.
Funding will support various aspects of the programming, including:
- Instructor certification
- Delivery of campus-wide training
- Procurement of required materials
- Outreach efforts regarding mental health literacy
Campuses with pre-existing programs will use the funds to expand training access. Binghamton University, a grant recipient, has previously trained more than 400 community members, reports BingUNews. The new funding will allow the university to extend training opportunities to a wider demographic, including students.
What Is Mental Health First Aid?
Mental Health First Aid is an evidence-based training curriculum. It instructs participants on identifying, understanding, and responding to signs of mental health challenges and substance use disorders. The program prioritizes early recognition and the facilitation of connections to professional help. The SUNY implementation will also incorporate culturally competent supplemental materials produced by the university system.
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The SUNY campuses that will receive grants through the Mental Health First Aid Grant Program in 2026 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
