State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. today announced 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 Tompkins Cortland Community College. On an annual basis, 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.”

“This SUNY Mental Health First Aid grant will enable Tompkins Cortland Community College to expand mental health literacy across our campus by training more employees to recognize early signs of distress and respond with confidence,” said TC3 Director of Health and Wellness Services Matt Kiechle. “Faculty and staff are often the first trusted adults that students turn to, and the SUNY Mental Health First Aid grant will increase our capacity to provide timely, compassionate care and connect students to appropriate resources before concerns escalate, creating a safer, more supportive learning environment for our students and community.”

The Mental Health First Aid Grant Program was first announced as part of Chancellor King’s 2025 State of the University Policy Agenda 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.

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.”

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.