Mental Health Matters Day

A tradition for nearly three decades, advocates visit Albany to rally support for critical investments and programs that support mental health and suicide prevention in communities across New York State.

MHANYS is partnering for this event with the New York chapters of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). Every year, the number of attendees continues to grow, representing communities from across New York State, including mental health professionals, advocates, a large contingent of high school and college students, faculty, and educators, first responders, MHANYS affiliate members, and members and volunteers with AFSP.

Mental Health Matters Day is structured into three parts:

A morning policy orientation and briefing where we provide an overview of the priority issues and an opportunity to hear from featured speakers.

The Mental Health Matters rally.

An opportunity to meet with legislators in the afternoon (schedule permitting).

Tentative Agenda (Subject to change)

8 am – 9 am – Check-in & Continental Breakfast
9 am – 12 pm – Policy Briefing, Speakers, & Rally
12 pm – 4 pm – Legislative Visits (encouraged)

Why attend Mental Health Matters Day?

Learn about pending critical mental health public policy issues
Opportunity to engage in the advocacy process

Next Steps

Mark your calendar to join MHANYS for Mental Health Matters Day on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. Registration will be coming soon.

To help you prepare, check out these resources:

Legislative Action Community (LAC), where we outline the priority issues, provide access to issue briefs, memos, videos and materials on how to be an advocate.

Learn about what to expect by watching our Mental Health Matters Day presentation for the 4th Annual SMHRTCenter’s Summer Academy. (recorded August 2025)

Timestamps

01:18 to 11:43: John Richter speaks on the history of Mental Health Matters Day and its context
11:44 to 24:19: Jamie Papapetros provides the overview of the day
24:19 to 29:21: Graham Healey speaks on the coordination of legislative meetings
41:37 to 53:35 Jacob Wolmetz, a youth advocate speaks about his experience attending Mental Health Matters Day

2025 Mental Health Matters Day

Presenters
New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner Ann Sullivan, MD
New York State Education Department Senior Deputy Commissioner for Education Policy Jeffrey Matteson
Senator Samra Brouk, Chair of Mental Health Committee
Senator Nathalia Fernandez, Chair of Alcoholism & Substance Use Disorders Committee
Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon, Chair of Mental Health
Assemblymember Anna Kelles, PhD
Jacob Wolmetz, Youth Representative, Junior at Hauppauge High School (Northwell Health – Cohen Strong Mental Health)
Cohen Miles-Rath, Keynote Speaker
Jim Allard, Sheriff of Steuben County
Officer George Hill

School/College Groups
Cairo-Durham
Catskill Central School District
Greenville Central School District
Northwell – Cohen Strong Mental Health
Pelham Together
Poughkeepsie School District
Siena College

MHANYS Affiliates
Association for Mental Health & Wellness
Mental Health Advocates of Western New York
Mental Health Association of Genesee & Orleans Counties
Mental Health Association of Jefferson County
MHA in Fulton & Montgomery Counties
MHA in Orange County
MHA in Putnam County
MHA in Ulster County
MHA of Dutchess County
MHA of Nassau County
Vibrant

First Responders
New York National Guard
Columbia Sheriff’s Office
Firefighters Association of New York State (FASNY)
NYS Sheriffs Institute
Saratoga Springs Police Department
Schenectady County Auxiliary Police OEM
Steuben County Sheriff’s Office
Warren County Sheriff’s Office

Community Providers
AFSP WENY Chapter
Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York (CIDNY)
Council on Alcoholism and Addictions of Finger Lakes
Northern Rivers
Northwell Health
Rensselaer County Department of Mental Health
Suicide Prevention & Crisis Service of Tompkins County
The Addictions Care Center of Albany
Girl Scout Troop 2121
Kerboom Kidz