Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Wednesday that New York State will provide up to $2 million in funding to enhance mental health services for military veterans and uniformed personnel. The funding is part of the CARES UP initiative, aimed at supporting suicide prevention efforts and promoting wellness programs for personnel across various agencies.
Launched in 2022 by the Suicide Prevention Center of New York, the CARES UP program will distribute $60,000 over two years to each selected agency. Eligible recipients include law enforcement departments, fire districts, emergency medical services (EMS), corrections departments, and emergency dispatch agencies.
The funds will be used to address the specific needs of each agency, such as offering wellness training, expanding peer support systems, or acquiring mental health apps for staff and their families. The state’s press release highlights that uniformed personnel often face cumulative stress and trauma, putting them at an elevated risk of suicide.
“CARES UP promotes positive mental wellness and self-care for New Yorkers who risk their own safety to protect our communities,” said Ann Sullivan, Commissioner of the Office of Mental Health. “This assistance can be lifesaving for individuals dealing with on-the-job stress and trauma, helping them process their experiences.”
In addition to supporting first responders, the initiative will also fund veterans’ organizations through the Onward Ops Program. This program helps veterans transition to civilian life after their military service. New York’s veterans have consistently faced a higher suicide rate than civilians, according to state reports.
“As Chair of the Veterans, Homeland Security, and Military Affairs Committee in the New York Senate—and as the wife of an Army veteran—I have seen firsthand the immense challenges veterans face upon returning from deployment,” said State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton. “Governor Hochul’s commitment to this funding is a crucial step in addressing this crisis.”
The CARES UP initiative’s first cohort of funding was awarded in 2022, with a second round of grants allocated in 2024. This year’s funding supports three EMS squads, five law enforcement agencies, one fire department, one corrections department, and three veterans’ organizations.
