National Council for Mental Wellbeing Celebrates New York State’s $17.5 Million Investment in Teen Mental Health First Aid

Washington, D.C. (May 28, 2026) — The National Council for Mental Wellbeing applauds New York for dedicating $17.5 million to the statewide Teen Mental Health First Aid program. The New York State Office of Mental Health will manage these funds to expand Mental Health First Aid training, helping more New Yorkers recognize and address mental health and substance use challenges among young people.

This statewide effort is needed. A recent Youth Risk Behavior Survey in New York State found that 33% of female and 16% of male high school students reported poor mental health most or all of the time in the past month. The survey also showed that 44% of female and 26% of male students had at least two weeks in the past year when they felt so sad or hopeless that they stopped doing some of their usual activities.

Gov. Kathy Hochul’s announcement highlights New York’s ongoing commitment to youth mental health. With this funding, Teen Mental Health First Aid from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing will be offered to all 10th graders in the state, reaching more than 180,000 students each year. Designed for students in grades 9-12 (ages 14-18), Teen Mental Health First Aid teaches how to recognize and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges in friends and peers, and when to seek help from a parent, guardian or trusted adult.

“We applaud Gov. Hochul’s leadership on this issue,” National Council President and CEO Chuck Ingoglia said. “I’m so gratified the governor has joined us in acknowledging the importance of providing Teen Mental Health First Aid training, and I hope other governors follow her lead and do what’s best for young people in their states.”

Mental Health First Aid Vice President Tramaine EL-Amin added, “Untreated mental health challenges in adolescence can lead to chronic mental health disorders in adulthood, academic decline and a higher risk of substance use. While peer support does not replace professional care, it can serve as a bridge to accessing help. When teens connect with others who have similar experiences, they build coping skills and self-awareness, and they feel emotionally supported.”

As part of this initiative, the state will also offer Youth Mental Health First Aid training to adults who work with youth in schools and community programs. This nationally recognized program helps adults support young people ages 12-18 by teaching them to notice common signs of mental health challenges, use the MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE) in both crisis and noncrisis situations, and connect youth to professional help. Previous statewide investments have already trained more than 2,000 adults in Youth Mental Health First Aid and about 5,000 young people in Teen Mental Health First Aid.

“New York is making a powerful investment in the mental health of young people and the communities that support them,” said EL-Amin. “As communities keep looking for practical, evidence-based ways to support youth mental health, this investment from New York to offer Teen Mental Health First Aid to all 10th graders and to make Youth Mental Health First Aid even more widely available is an important step forward.”

About Mental Health First Aid   

Mental Health First Aid is an evidence-based training program administered by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing that teaches individuals how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges. More than 4.5 million people across the United States have been trained in MHFA by a dedicated base of thousands of Instructors.