Mental Health Association in New York State Applauds
Governor Hochul’s Proposed Expansion of Mental Health First Aid
as Part of 2026 State of the State
Washington, D.C. (January 6, 2026) – The Mental Health Association in New York State (MHANYS) joined Governor Kathy Hochul as she announced expanding both the availability of Teen Mental Health First Aid to all 10th grade high school students and Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHA) for adults who work with youth. The expansion is part of Governor Hochul’s 2026 State of the State proposal, which includes a series of new safeguards to protect minors online.
“The well-being and safety of our children is personal to me,” said Governor Hochul. “Today, we are breaking new ground to give kids the tools and safeguards they need to navigate unprecedented mental health challenges and real-world dangers in today’s digital landscape.”
“New York State is leading the nation with this historic commitment to expand Teen Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid,” said Glenn Liebman, CEO of MHANYS. “MHANYS has been a pioneer in bringing these trainings to New York. These efforts have already trained thousands and laid the foundation for this next phase. As we face a growing youth mental health crisis, widespread loneliness, and online safety challenges, this expansion could not be more urgent. MHANYS commends Governor Hochul’s ongoing leadership and commitment to youth mental health and wellness.”
Teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) teaches teens in grades 9-12, or ages 14-18, how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges in their friends and peers. The evidence-based trainings also help to foster a supportive environment that values physical and mental health, and encourages teens to talk openly about mental health and substance use. The proposal also includes an expansion of Youth Mental Health First Aid, which trains adults who work with youth. Other elements of this proposal include expanding age verification, privacy setting safeguards, and major new restrictions on minors connecting with artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots.
In May 2025, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing recognized MHANYS as Organization of the Year for its exemplary commitment and implementation of Mental Health First Aid in New York State, setting a model for other States. The National Council for Mental Wellbeing, the governing body of MFHA, recently released research and data highlighting the positive impact MFHA is having for those who have completed the training. The findings show improved mental health literacy, increased confidence and likelihood to act, reduced stigma, and increased empathy. The Council reports that between 2013 and 2024, 72-peer reviewed studies have been published, fifty-nine of which are evaluation studies, while thirteen are deemed scoping reviews, systematic reviews or meta-analyses. The research also provides evidence that those who have completed the trainings are using the knowledge and skills acquired.
Since January 2023, MHANYS has led a statewide pilot to expand Teen and Youth Mental Health First Aid. Through this pilot initiative, MHANYS and their partner sites have certified over 4,800 teens in MHFA and over 3,000 adults in youth Mental Health First Aid. According to the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, New York has experienced a 540% increase in teens certified, underscoring the rapid growth and statewide momentum of this mental health literacy work. Learn more about MHFA trainings here.
