Stony Brook University has been named one of 27 campuses to receive funding through the State University of New York’s (SUNY) Mental Health First Aid Grant Program. The initiative aims to strengthen approaches to student mental health and well-being across the SUNY system.
The program will distribute grants of up to $8,000 each to 16 state-operated campuses and 11 community colleges. Once fully implemented, the funding is expected to support Mental Health First Aid training for nearly 3,000 faculty, staff, and other non-clinical personnel annually. This expanded training seeks to improve campus capacity in recognizing and responding to students experiencing 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 John B. King Jr., who announced the awards on January 8. “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 stated: “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.”
“This investment reflects our commitment to prevention, early intervention and shared responsibility for student, faculty and staff well-being,” said Associate Vice President for Health, Wellness, and Prevention Services Marisa Bisiani. “Expanding Mental Health First Aid training not only strengthens our campus ability to identify distress early and connect to resources, but also reinforces that mental health is a core component of student success. This funding allows us to expand trainings across our campus community, and we are extremely appreciative of the support.”
First introduced as part of Chancellor King’s 2025 State of the University Policy Agenda, the Mental Health First Aid Grant Program represents an ongoing commitment by the SUNY Board of Trustees toward proactive strategies supporting student mental health. The initiative provides faculty and staff with practical tools for timely support beyond traditional counseling centers.
Grant funds will be used for developing or expanding campus Mental Health First Aid programs at Stony Brook University. This includes instructor certification, delivering training sessions campus-wide, purchasing necessary materials, as well as outreach efforts aimed at improving mental health literacy among university members. Campuses already running such programs are encouraged by SUNY officials to use these funds for additional training opportunities or extending offerings to neighboring institutions.
