State University of New York Chancellor Jim Malatras was at SUNY Brockport Friday to announce that the system will commit another $24 million to enhance mental health and wellness services for students.
Malatras said SUNY is very happy about returning to in-person classes this fall, but said there are still challenges, including the need for mental health services.
"We're going to be expanding counseling, peer-to-peer networks, training and building safe spaces for our students. Those are all things that we need to have," he said. "With this record investment, SUNY campuses will be spending $59 million total in mental health and wellness services."
Malatras also noted that that a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey showed that 41% of all college-age students reported at least one mental health condition. He added that students have been demanding an increase in the availability of those services.
SUNY Brockport President Heidi MacPherson said at their campus, there was an increase in visits to mental health services recently even though fewer students were living on campus because of COVID-19.
