Governor Kathy Hochul announced $2 million in funding to expand suicide prevention and mental wellness programs for military veterans and uniformed personnel, including law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical service personnel, corrections officers, and emergency dispatchers. The funding, administered through the New York State Office of Mental Health’s Suicide Prevention Center, aims to address rising mental health challenges and suicide risks within these high-stress professions.
The CARES UP (Changing Attitudes, Resilience, Education, and Suicide Understanding and Prevention) initiative will provide $60,000 in annual funding over two years to organizations dedicated to supporting these groups. The funds will go toward peer support programs, trauma-informed training, wellness workshops, and mental health resources such as wellness apps.
“Our service members and first responders encounter a tremendous amount of trauma and stress on the job, and that can take its toll on their mental wellbeing,” Hochul said. “Funding through the CARES UP initiative is helping organizations and agencies across the state incorporate resilience and mental wellness into their programming, ensuring these individuals can access the help and support they so rightfully deserve and need.”
Governor Hochul successfully doubled the program’s funding in the FY 2025 state budget, increasing annual support from $1 million to $2 million and expanding eligibility to include emergency dispatchers.
According to state data, veterans in New York are nearly twice as likely to die by suicide as civilians, and first responders face an elevated risk due to cumulative trauma and workplace stress. Research indicates that first responders are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty.
Dr. Ann Sullivan, Commissioner of the Office of Mental Health, emphasized the program’s importance: “CARES UP promotes positive mental wellness and self-care for New Yorkers who risk their own safety to protect our communities. This assistance can be lifesaving for individuals encountering on-the-job stress and trauma as they work to process their experiences.”
The CARES UP initiative works closely with recipient organizations to provide training from national experts on suicide prevention, peer support, and mental wellness strategies tailored to the unique challenges faced by veterans and first responders.
New York State Department of Veterans’ Services Commissioner Viviana DeCohen praised the funding: “The CARES UP program is ensuring that those who have dedicated their lives to serving and protecting our nation and their communities receive the support they need to cope with the unique stresses and traumas they face. The Governor’s unprecedented investment in CARES UP will undoubtedly save lives.”
State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton highlighted the urgency of the program, noting that “Each day, 22 veterans tragically take their own lives, underscoring the urgent need to address the mental health crisis within the veteran community.”
The initiative builds on earlier CARES UP cohorts launched in 2022, which provided funding to 15 organizations, including EMS squads, law enforcement agencies, fire departments, corrections departments, and veterans’ groups.
Through this expanded funding, the state aims to foster resilience, reduce stigma surrounding mental health, and provide tangible resources for those on the frontlines of public safety and service.
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