MHANYS is very proud to have received the prestigious Mental Health First Aid Organization of the Year Award from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, the national leader in Mental Health First Aid. As I said at the award reception, we are so honored in New York State to have a Governor like Kathy Hochul who has been so supportive of Teen Mental Health First Aid and a Commissioner in Dr. Ann Sullivan who has been such a strong proponent of this training.
This work could not have been possible without our own internal leadership led by our COO Melissa Ramirez and our Director of Training, Katie Oldakowski. They and their team have provided training and administrative support to well over five thousand people in the last year alone with lots more coming.
We could not be more prouder of our organization and our partner sites across New York State.
Mental Health Association in New York State Honored as Organization of the Year
National Council for Mental Wellbeing Celebrates 2025 Award Recipients
Washington, D.C. (May 5, 2025) — In a ceremony held at the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Summit in Philadelphia on May 4, 2025, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing recognized the Mental Health Association in New York State (MHANYS) as Organization of the Year. The award was part of the National Council’s annual MHFA Impact Awards Ceremony which celebrates individuals and groups that have demonstrated what it means to be a true leader in changing the conversation surrounding mental health.
The primary criteria used to determine the MHFA Impact Award winners include the number of individuals trained in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), measurable impact, and excellence and effectiveness while conducting the training course. Other Impact Award winners included Erborian, the Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council, and five MHFA Instructors and Coordinators for their significant contributions to expanding MHFA’s reach and empowering people across the country to support each other in times of need.
“We are recognizing the 2025 Impact Award winners for their transformative work in bringing Mental Health First Aid training to members of their local communities,” said MHFA Vice President Tramaine EL-Amin. “The National Council is grateful for the support of the Mental Health Association in New York State, Erborian and the Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council. Together, we are committed to reshaping the narrative around mental wellbeing and emphasizing the importance of assisting each other in times of need through MHFA.”
The Organization of the Year award recognizes a group that has implemented creative solutions to expand MHFA within its organization and externally. The Mental Health Association in New York State, a 501(c)(3), is a leading statewide not-for-profit organization committed to improving the lives of individuals, families, and communities by raising mental health awareness and literacy, ending stigma and discrimination, and promoting wellness and recovery. MHANYS has been a leader in MHFA training, equipping individuals with the skills to recognize and respond to mental health crises.
“Mental Health Association in New York State was honored to receive this year’s Organization of the Year award and thanks the National Council for Mental Wellbeing for bestowing us with this honor,” said Glenn Liebman, CEO of the Mental Health Association in New York State (MHANYS). “The award is a reflection of the incredible work of our team that is driven every day to enhance awareness, understanding, and literacy around mental health in the community through Mental Health First Aid. It also comes as MHANYS has been selected to undertake an expansion of Mental Health First Aid in New York State thanks to the leadership and commitment of Governor Kathy Hochul to youth mental health and the support of the New York State Office of Mental Health.”
Anthony Jorm, one of the co-founders of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), joined the National Council and honorees on this momentous occasion marking 25 years since the inception of MHFA. Over 4 million people across the country have been trained in MHFA since the National Council introduced the program to the U.S. in 2008. Learn more about MHFA training available through MHANYS here.
Read about the National Council’s other Impact Award winners here. Congratulations to all of the honorees.
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About The National Council
Founded in 1969, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing is a membership organization that drives policy and social change on behalf of more than 3,200 mental health and substance use treatment organizations and the more than 10 million children, adults, and families they serve. We advocate for policies to ensure access to high-quality services. We build the capacity of mental health and substance use treatment organizations. We promote a greater understanding of mental well-being as a core component of comprehensive health and health care. Through our Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) program, we have trained more than 4 million people in the U.S. to identify, understand, and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges.
About Mental Health First Aid
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) 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 million people across the United States have been trained in MHFA by a dedicated base of thousands of Instructors.
About Mental Health Association in New York State
The Mental Health Association in New York State (MHANYS) improves the lives of individuals, families, and communities by raising mental health awareness, ending stigma and discrimination, and promoting wellness and recovery. MHANYS was incorporated in 1960. We have 24 affiliates in 50 counties throughout New York State. We are an affiliate of Mental Health America.
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