Binghamton University receives funding for Mental Health First Aid

Binghamton University is one of 27 campuses to receive funding from a SUNY grant program that supports campus efforts to increase the number of faculty and staff trained to recognize and address mental-health concerns among students. 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.

SUNY first introduced Mental Health First Aid to select campuses as part of the 2025 State of the University Policy Agenda set by Chancellor John B. King Jr., although Binghamton was ahead of the curve, implementing the program in 2021. SUNY estimates that the 2026 funding will support the delivery of Mental Health First Aid training for almost 3,000 faculty, staff and other non-clinical campus personnel across SUNY campuses, expanding each campus’s capacity to recognize and respond to students in distress.

Binghamton University has trained more than 400 students, faculty and staff in Mental Health First Aid since the program was introduced to campus. The additional grant funding announced by SUNY will expand Binghamton’s programming to include more campus community members, including students.

“Mental Health First Aid is a critical part of our campus-wide approach to student well-being,” said Johann Fiore-Conte, associate vice president for student affair and chief health and wellness officer. “It strengthens our collective capacity to recognize early signs of distress and respond in ways that are timely, compassionate and effective. As we move forward, we are focused on scaling this program and integrating it more fully into our broader health and wellness strategy.”

Faculty, staff and students interested in participating in training should contact Student Affairs.