As Students Return to Campus, SUNY Chancellor King Highlights Mental Health Initiative to Support Student Well-Being
August 20, 2026
Chancellor King Visited SUNY Optometry to Showcase Mental Health First Aid Training Program
New York, NY – State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. today highlighted SUNY's commitment to student mental health support services during a visit to SUNY Optometry. During the visit, Chancellor King showcased the SUNY Optometry’s mental health first aid training program, which is one of 27 campus programs supported by SUNY's Mental Health First Aid Grant Program. The initiative advances efforts to train students, faculty, and staff and offer essential support to anyone experiencing mental health challenges.
"SUNY's mental health first aid training program recognizes that mental health is indispensable to student success," said SUNY Chancellor King. "Campuses, like SUNY Optometry, reflect our steadfast commitment to ensuring students have the support and resources they need to thrive throughout their academic careers and beyond."
The SUNY Board of Trustees said, "SUNY's mental health first aid training program increases accessibility to resources and support services that help students in times of crisis. With continued support from Governor Kathy Hochul and the State Legislature, we are continuing to champion initiatives that equip faculty and staff with the skills they need to provide informed support and connect students with resources."
SUNY College of Optometry President Dr. David Troilo said, "At SUNY Optometry, we recognize that student health—particularly mental health—is fundamental to academic success and overall well-being. With SUNY's help, we have made significant strides in expanding and strengthening programs that prioritize student wellness and foster resilience throughout an intense post-graduate educational journey. Training our faculty through the Mental Health First Aid program provides them with critical assessment tools and helps them foster better learning outcomes. We are committed to ensuring that every student has the resources and support needed to thrive, both personally and academically."
SUNY Optometry Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs Melissa E. Trego said, "Though we are a small campus, SUNY Optometry has built a strong network of resources to support the mental health and well-being of our students, including access to a full-time mental health provider. But supporting mental health goes beyond providing resources. It also means equipping our community with the tools and confidence to recognize when someone may be struggling and respond appropriately. Mental Health First Aid training is an important extension of that commitment, providing our faculty with practical skills that can strengthen not only how we support one another and our students, but also how we engage with the patients we serve. Through awareness, reducing stigma, and connecting individuals with appropriate resources, we are building a culture of care that extends from our classrooms to our clinics."
SUNY's mental health initiatives are supported by State investment from Governor Hochul and the State Legislature. The SUNY Board of Trustees allocates nearly $10 million in ongoing operational funds to support mental health services across State-operated campuses and $3 million for mental health services at community colleges. Additionally, all SUNY campuses include the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline on the back of all student ID cards to ensure students have immediate, 24/7 access to emergency support.
State Assemblymember Tony Simone said, "College can be one of the most challenging, yet rewarding parts of a young person's life. By expanding mental health services, we help to set students up for success. I was proud to fight for this funding in Albany, which will help to support students across the state. This program will empower students and faculty with mental health tools to support their peers, making SUNY campuses safer."
State Assemblymember Rebecca Seawright said, "I commend Chancellor King, the SUNY Board of Trustees, SUNY Optometry, and all those involved in expanding Mental Health First Aid training across SUNY campuses. This important initiative gives students, faculty, and staff the tools to recognize mental health challenges and connect those in need with support. I am proud to support New York’s continued investment in the well-being and success of our students."
State Assemblymember Manny De Los Santos, MSW, said, "Too many students struggle with their mental health in silence because they do not know where to turn or are afraid to ask for help. As a social worker, I know how important early recognition is and how instrumental this training can be in helping someone receive support before their situation reaches a crisis point. By making Mental Health First Aid training available across 27 campuses, SUNY is equipping students, faculty, and staff to recognize when someone may be struggling, respond with care, and connect them with the appropriate resources. I commend Chancellor King and SUNY for creating campus communities where every student feels seen, supported, and reminded that they do not have to face difficult moments alone."
The mental health first aid training program reflects SUNY's steadfast commitment to proactive, systemwide strategies that support student mental health. In January, Chancellor King launched the SUNY Mental Health First Aid Grant Program, which provides targeted funding to strengthen campus-wide approaches to student mental health and well-being. In February, SUNY announced the expansion of SUNY's Mental Health Internship Program to provide paid, hands-on learning opportunities for community college students pursuing careers in mental and behavioral health. 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 annually one in three New Yorkers who earn a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit suny.edu.
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Holly Liapis
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